Derivatives of bivalent germanium, tin, and lead. Part 21. Tin(II) formate: a reinvestigation

Abstract

The structure of the title compound has been determined from diffractometer data using Patterson and Fourier methods. Crystals are triclinic, P, with unit-cell dimensions a= 5.303(2), b= 8.834(3), c= 5.271 (2)Å, α= 104.38(2), β= 105.75(2), and γ= 82.82(2)°. Refinement has been carried by full-matrix least squares to a final R value of 0.050 3 for 1 309 independent non-zero reflections. Crystals consist of infinite two-dimensional sheets in which all the formate groups bridge adjacent tin atoms. Tin forms two short [2.14(1) and 2.20(1)Å] and two long [2.36(1)Å] bonds in a pseudo-trigonal-bipyramidal arrangement with the tin lone pair occupying the remaining equatorial site. The structure is disordered such that the formate groups occupy equally two sets of positions between the tin atoms. Vibrational and tin-119m Mössbauer spectra have been recorded, and together with the unit-cell data are compared with data reported previously.