Triphenyltin(IV) sulfanylpropenoates: synthesis, crystal structures and antimicrobial activities

Three new triphenyltin(IV) sulfanylcarboxylates with the general formula [Q ][SnPh3(L)] (Q = diisopropylammonium cation; L=tspa, pspa or pyspa, where t = 3-(2-thienyl)-, p = 3-(2-phenyl)-, py=3-(2-pyridinyl)- and spa = 2-sulfa nylpropenoato) have been prepared by reaction of triphenyltin(IV) hydroxide with the corresponding acid in the presence of di-isopropylamine in ethano l, The compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis and mass spe ctrometry and by IR, Mossbauer and NMR (H-1,C-13, Sn-119) spectroscopy. X-r ay studies of the crystal structures of [Q][SnPh3(pspa)] and [Q][SnPh3(pysp a)] show that in both compounds the tin atom is coordinated to three phenyl C atoms and to S and one O atom of the ligand L, All three complexes are a ctive against strains of the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, but are inactive or only slightly active against the Gram-negative bacteri a Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wile y & Sons, Ltd.