Synthesis and characterization of polystyrenes containing side-chain tributyltin carboxylate moieties linked to the aromatic ring through a 1,2-ethylene spacer

A new triorganotin monomer, tributyltin 3-(p-styryl)-propionate (TBTSP), ha s been synthesized and submitted to radical homo- and copolymerization with styrene thus affording the corresponding polymeric derivatives having vari able content of triorganotin moieties. The low molecular weight compounds, tributyltin 3-(p-ethylphenyl)-propionate and tributyltin 3-(p-isopropylphen yl)-propionate; have also been prepared as structural models of the organot in repeating co-units of the polymers. Characterizations in solution and so lid state by IR, NMR and thermal techniques of all the polymers and low mol ecular weight compounds synthesized allow to conclude that the tin atoms ar e tetra-and/or penta-coordinate depending on structure, physical state and tin content of the polymers. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.