Tetramethyltin

BRIEF OVERVIEW

Tetramethyltin is an organometallic compound with the formula (CH₃) ₄Sn. This fluid, one of the simplest organotin compounds, is useful for the conversion of metal-mediated hydrochloric acid to methyl ketones and aryl halides to aryl methyl ketones.

MANUFACTURING PROCESS

A method of producing tetramethyltin which comprises reacting methyl chloride in an ether solvent with a tin-magnesium alloy containing from 1:1 to 1:2 mole ratio of tin to magnesium whereby a substantial quantity of the methyl chloride is converted to tetramethyltin and methyl magnesium chloride, and then electrolyzing the methyl magnesium chloride in an electrolytic cell containing tin anodes whereby additional quantities of tetramethyltin are produced.
 

Precursor to methyltin compounds

Tetramethyltin is a precursor to trimethyltin chloride (and related methyltin halides), which are precursors to other organotin compounds. A variety of methyltin compounds are used as precursors for stabilizers in PVC. Di- and trimercaptotin compounds are used to inhibit the dehydrochlorination, which is the pathway for photolytic and thermal degradation of PVC

 
Surface functionalization

Tetramethyltin decomposes in the gas phase at about 277 °C; (CH3)4Sn vapor reacts with silica to give a (CH3)3Sn-grafted solid. This reaction is also possible with other alkyl substituents. In a similar process, tetramethyltin has been used to functionalize certain zeolites at temperatures as low as −90 °C