The direct electrochemical synthesis of tin(II) derivatives of aromatic 1,2-diols, and a study of their oxidative addition reactions

Abstract

The electrochemical oxidation of anodic tin in non-aqueous solutions of aromatic diols R(OH)₂(=1,2-dihydroxybenzene, 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene, tetrabromo-1,2-dihydroxybenzene, or 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl) gives rise to Sn(O₂R) species in high yield. When 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) is present in the cell, Sn(O₂R)(phen) is obtained. Such adducts, and salts of [SnX(O₂R)]^– anions (X = Br or I), can also be prepared directly from the Sn(O₂R) compounds. The latter also undergo oxidative addition reactions with I₂, to give Sn^IVI₂(O₂R), and with the substituted o-quinones O₂C₆X₄(X = Cl or Br) to give the corresponding catecholates Sn^IV(O₂R)(O₂C₆X₄).