Structure and stability of MCl4 carbene complexes (M = Si, Ge, Sn): Experiment and theory

Toluene solvates of MCl(4)middotnI(Dipp) ( n = 1, M = Ge, Sn; n = 2, M = Sn) complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Mass spectrometric studies indicate that upon heating complexes of a 1:1 composition MCl(4)middotI(Dipp) undergo sublimation and dissociation into the components, while a complex of 1:2 composition SnCl(4)middot2I(Dipp) does not exist in the gas phase. Thermal decomposition of MCl(4)middotI (Dipp) is ac-companied by H/Cl exchange by formation of C27H34Cl2N2 molecules. In contrast, upon decomposition or prolonged storage of SnCl(4)middot2I(Dipp) a chlorination of IDipp takes place by formation of C27H36Cl2N2. Experimental findings are in qualitative agreement with the results of DFT computations.

Automated summary

Toluene solvates of MCl(4)middotnI(Dipp) ( n = 1, M = Ge, Sn; n = 2, M = Sn) complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Mass spectrometric studies show that heating and decomposition involve H/Cl exchange and chlorination of IDipp.