The determination of the sign of the quadrupole interaction in some organotin(IV) compounds

Abstract

The signs of the quadrupole coupling constant, e²qQ, have been determined for several organotin(IV) compounds by the application of a large external magnetic field to the Mössbauer absorber. On the basis of the results from three compounds of rigorously established stereochemistry [Me₂SnF₂, Me₃Sn(NCS), and Me₃Sn(OH)], it was found, in accord with previous work, that the imbalance in electron density in the tin σ-bonds is the main source of the electric field gradient, π-bonding and lattice effects being less important. Using this evidence, structures have been assigned to Ph₃SnF, Ph₃SnCl, and Bu₂SnO on the basis of their Mössbauer spectra in an applied magnetic field.