Reactivity of a N→Sn Coordinated Distannyne: Reduction and Hydrogen Abstraction

The reduction ability of a N→Sn coordinated distannyne {LSn} 2 , where L is [C 6 H 3 ‐2,6‐(Me 2 NCH 2 ) 2 ] – is tested towards organic molecules ethylene and cyclooctatetraene. These reactions provide the compound [{LSn} 3 SnH] ( 2 ), as the result of a hydride abstraction. DFT calculations suggest that compound 2 can be interpreted as highly covalently bonded {HSn I } and {(Sn I L) 3 } fragments. While the reduction of the C=C bond is not observed in the reaction of 1 with organic molecules, the reducing ability of 1 is observed in the reaction with inorganic SnO. Complex 1 is able to reduce SnO and the organotin(II) oxide {LSn} 2 O ( 3 ) is obtained. Moreover, compound 3 is able to coordinate an excess of SnO to yield the organotin(II)–tin(II)–oxo cluster L 4 Sn 10 O 8 ( 4 ).