A novel trinuclear n-butyltin cluster incorporating three ferrocene carboxylate substituents

The trinuclear compound (n-BuSnCl(O2CC5H4-Fe-C5H5))(3)(O)(OH) (7) has been synthesized by the 1:1 stoichiometric reaction of n-BuSn(OH)(2)Cl (1) with ferrocene carboxylic acid. The structure in the solid state, as revealed by X-ray crystallography, shows three tin atoms connected by three bridging f errocene carboxylates. Whereas two of these tins are hexacoordinated, the t hird one is essentially pentacoordinated with an additional weak interactio n to a chlorine bonded to one of the other tin atoms of the same molecule. The relationship of this compound, as an intermediate, to the 'ladder' comp ound with the formula (n-BuSn(O2CCHPh2))(6)Cl4O4 which is formed in the ana logous reaction of 1 with diphenyl acetic acid is highlighted. (C) 1999 Els evier Science S.A. All rights reserved.