Polymeric [mu(3)-(N-phosphonomethyl)-glycinato]tris(tri-n-butyltin)

N-(Phosphonomethyl)glycine, glyphosate, reacts with bis(tributyltin) oxide to form a ligand-tin (1:3) complex in which all five O atoms are coordinate d to tin. The complex, [Sn-3(C4H9)(9)(C3H5NO5P)], is polymeric, with the gl yphosate and two tributyltin groups forming a two-dimensional network and w ith the third Sn atom alternately above and below the plane of the net. The Sn atoms in the network have a trigonal-bipyramidal coordination, with O a toms in the axial positions and C atoms in the equatorial positions; the pe ndant tributyltin group is tetrahedrally coordinated to one O atom and to t hree butyl groups. Sn-O distances vary from 2.030 (3) to 2.408 (3) Angstrom . The Sn-O distances for O atoms trans to carboxylate groups are shorter th an those trans to phosphonate groups and d(Sn-O) decreases with increasing d(C/P-O) (Delta (Sn-O) similar or equal to -4.6 Delta (C/P-O)). The amino N atom in the ligand is neither protonated nor involved in coordination to t he Sn atoms.