Synthesis,molecular structure and stereoisomerization of 2-phosphinyl and 2-phosphonylethyl diorganotin halides

Functionally substituted triorganotin halides V–IX of type R₂Sn(X)(CH₂)₂P(O)PhR′ (R = Me, t-Bu; Rt? = OEt, t-Bu; X = Cl, Br) have been synthesized by halogen cleavage of the corresponding tetraorganotin compounds R₂R²Sn(CH₂)₂P(O)PhR′ (R² = Me or Ph), I–IV. The solid state structure of Me₂Sn (Br) (CH₂)₂P(O)PhBu-t (IX), determined by X-ray diffraction, shows a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal structure at the tin atom, with intramolecular coordination of the PO group. Spectroscopic data are in agreement with such a structure in solution for compounds V–IX. Upon varying the temperature, concentration or solvent in solutions of compounds V–IX a stereoisomerization is observed. On the basis of NMR ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, ¹¹⁹Sn), IR and conductivity studies, it is suggested that this stereoisomerization involves a hexacoordinated transition state at the tin atom.