Tetramethyltin

Tetramethyltin
Names
IUPAC name
Tetramethylstannane[1]
Other names
Tin tetramethyl
Identifiers
3647887
594-27-4 Yes
ChEBI CHEBI:30420 Yes
ChemSpider 11171 Yes
EC number 209-833-6
1938
Jmol-3D images Image
PubChem 11661
RTECS number WH8630000
UN number 3384
Properties
Molecular formula
C4H12Sn
Molar mass 178.85 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless liquid
Density 1.291 g cm−3
Melting point −54 °C (−65 °F; 219 K)
Boiling point 74 °C (165 °F; 347 K)
Hazards
EU classification T+ N
R-phrases R26/27/28, R50/53
S-phrases S26, S27, S28, S45, S60, S61
NFPA 704
Flammability code 4: Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily. Flash point below 23 °C (73 °F). E.g., propane Health code 3: Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury. E.g., chlorine gas Reactivity code 1: Normally stable, but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures. E.g., calcium Special hazards (white): no codeNFPA 704 four-colored diamond
4
3
1
Flash point −12 °C (10 °F; 261 K)
Related compounds
Related tetraalkylstannanes
Tetrabutyltin

Tetraethyltin

Related compounds
Neopentane

Tetramethylsilane

Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
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Infobox references

Tetramethyltin is an organometallic compound with the formula (CH3)4Sn. This liquid, one of the simplest organotin compounds, is useful for transition-metal mediated conversion of acid chlorides to methyl ketones and aryl halides to aryl methyl ketones. It is volatile and toxic, so care should be taken when using it in the laboratory.

Synthesis and structure

Tetramethyltin is synthesized by reaction of the Grignard reagent methylmagnesium iodide, with SnCl4,[2] which is synthesized by reacting tin metal with chlorine gas.[3]

4 CH3MgI + SnCl4 → (CH3)4Sn + 4 MgICl

In tetramethyltin, the metal surrounded by four methyl groups in a tetrahedral structure is a heavy analogue of neopentane.

Applications

Precursor to methyltin compounds

Tetramethyltin is a precursor to trimethyltin chloride (and related methyltin halides), which are precursors to other organotin compounds. These methyltin chlorides are prepared via the so-called Kocheshkov redistribution reaction. Thus, SnMe4 and SnCl4 are allowed to react at temperatures between 100 °C and 200 °C to give Me3SnCl as a product:

SnCl4 + 3 SnMe4 → 4 Me3SnCl

A second route to trimethyltin chloride utilizing tetramethyltin involves the reaction of mercury (II) chloride to react with SnMe4.[2]

4 HgCl2 + 4 SnMe4 → 4 Me3SnCl + 4 MeHgCl

A variety of methyltin compounds are used as precursors for stabilizers in PVC. Di- and trimercapto tin compounds are used to inhibit the dehydrochlorination, which is the pathway for photolytic and thermal degradation of PVC.[3]

Surface functionalization

Tetramethyltin decomposes in the gas phase at about 277 °C (550 K) Me4Sn vapor reacts with silica to give Me3Sn-grafted solid.

Me4Sn + SiOH → SiOSnMe3 + MeH

This reaction is also possible with other alkyl substituents. In a similar process, tetramethyltin has been used to functionalize certain zeolites at temperatures as low as -90 °C.[4]

Applications in organic synthesis

In organic synthesis, tetramethyltin undergoes palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions with acid chlorides to give methyl ketones:[5]

SnMe4 + RCOCl → RCOMe + Me3SnCl

References

  1. "Tetramethyltin | C4H12Sn". ChemSpider. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Scott, W. J.; Jones, J. H.; Moretto, A. F. (2002). "Tetramethylstannane". Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis. doi:10.1002/047084289X.rt070.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Thoonen, S. H. L.; Deelman, B.; van Koten, G; (2004). "Synthetic Aspects of Tetraorganotins and Organotin(IV) Halides". Journal of Organometallic Chemistry 689 (13): 21452157. doi:10.1016/j.jorganchem.2004.03.027.
  4. Davies, A. G. (2008). "Tin Organometallics". In Robert H. Crabtree and D. Michael P. Mingos. Comprehensive Organometallic Chemistry III. Elsevier. pp. 809–883. doi:10.1016/B0-08-045047-4/00054-6.
  5. Labadie, J. and Stille, J. (1983). "Mechanisms of the palladium-catalyzed couplings of acid chlorides with organotin reagents". J. Am. Chem. Soc. 105 (19): 6129. doi:10.1021/ja00357a026.