Unprecedented Hexa- and Undecanuclear Frameworks of Two New Tin(IV) Oxo Clusters Resulting from Partial Debenzylation Reactions

A new and facile synthetic route to the known neutral cluster ((PhCH2)2SnO)6[((PhCH2)2SnOH)2(CO3)]2 (2) as well as its reactivity toward trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (HO3SCF3, TfOH) are reported. The solid-state structure of the new solvate 2·6C7H8 has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The core of 2 can be described as a pair of coplanar pentanuclear [(PhCH2)2SnO]5 ladders bridged at their ends by two carbonate groups. Successive additions of TfOH to a suspension of 2 in CD3CN were monitored by 119Sn{1H} NMR spectroscopy showing the transformation of the fingerprint of 2 (δ = −244, −246, −306 ppm), via new upfield signals, to a final broad resonance located at δ = −474 ppm. Thereafter, two unprecedented ionic monobenzyltin(IV) oxo clusters, 3 and 4, resulting from a debenzylation reaction and exhibiting unusual hexaand undecanuclear frameworks, respectively, have been isolated as single crystals.