Crystal and molecular structure of [NN′-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato)]dimethyltin(IV)

Abstract

The crystal and molecular structure of the title compound has been determined from three-dimensional photographic X-ray data by the heavy-atom method. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group Pca2₁, with a= 12·19, b= 6·91, c= 40·41 Å, Z= 8. The structure was refined by least-squares methods to R 0·098 for 1636 reflexions. The crystals are built up of discrete molecules [Me₂Sn(salen)] with the salen ligand occupying the four equatorial positions of a distorted octahedron around the tin atom, the methyl groups being in the trans-positions. The co-ordination polyhedron distortions and the conformation of the molecule are compared with those of similar compounds.