Reactivity of a Distannylenetoward Potassium Graphite:Synthesis of a Stannylidenide Anion.

The synthesis and characterization of the stannylidenideanion[LSn:]−(L = 2,6-(CHNBut)2C6H3) supported by the 2,6-diiminophenylligand is described. The reaction of the chlorostannylene [LSnCl](2) with excess KC8in diethyl ether at roomtemperature afforded the distannylene [LSn:]2(3). The treatment of 3with 2 equiv of KC8in tetrahydrofuran (THF) resulted in the cleavage of the SnI–SnIbond in 3to afford thepotassium stannylidenide [LSnK·THF] (4). The molecularstructure of compound 4as determined by single-crystalX-ray diffraction analysis shows that the K atom is η5-coordinated to the low-valent tin heterocycle. Moreover, the negativecharge at the Sn atom in compound 4is stabilized byan electron delocalization in the low-valent tin heterocycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]