Association and fragmentation of imidotin(II) complexes containing donor-functionalised peripheries; towards new three-dimensional main group metal ligands

Abstract

Structural studies of a series of tin(II) imido cubanes, [SnNR]₄, containing donor-functionalised organic substituents (R), have allowed the systematic investigation of the factors controlling and affecting association of these architypal tin(II) complexes in the solid state. In addition to steric shielding of the Sn₄N₄ cores, intra- and inter-molecular O and N donation modifies or curtails association via Sn⋯Sn interactions, and can even facilitate fragmentation of the cubane cores.