The Tris(pentafluoroethyl)stannate(II) Anion, [Sn(C F ) ] -Synthesis and Reactivity.

Syntheses of salts containing the tris(pentafluoroethyl)stannate(II) ion, [Sn(C F ) ] , were achieved through deprotonation of the corresponding stannane, HSn(C F ) , as well as by direct pentafluoroethylation of SnCl with LiC F . The electron-withdrawing substituents have substantial influence on the stability and reactivity of the anion as documented by its treatment with main group halides. Alkyl halides (R-X) underwent nucleophilic substitutions to afford RSn(C F ) , whereas Si, Ge, Sn, P halides gave rise to oxidation processes yielding hypervalent [SnX (C F ) ] salts (X=Cl, Br, I). Moreover the unsymmetrical distannane, nBu SnSn(C F ) , was disclosed as an alternative precursor for the Sn(C F ) moiety. Although neither the solid state structure nor its spectra in alkane solution reveal unexpected peculiarities, unusual dissociation of the compound in coordinating solvents into [nBu Sn(D) ] and [Sn(C F ) ] ions was observed.