Facile synthesis of Sn4N4 cubanes; syntheses and structures of [Sn(NC6H11)]4 and [Sn(2-NCH2C5H4N)]4

Abstract

The low-temperature reaction of Sn(NMe₂)₂ with primary amines (NH₂R)(1 : 1 equivalents) is a general route by which imido tin(II) cubanes [Sn(NR)]₄ can be prepared. It has been exemplified by the direct reactions of the relatively non-acidic primary amines NH₂(C₆H₁₁) and 2-H₂NCH₂C₅H₄N, producing the cubanes [Sn(NC₆H₁₁)]₄1 and [Sn(2-NCH₂C₅H₄N)]₄2. The structures of both complexes have been established by X-ray crystallography.