Schiff base supported mononuclear organotin(IV) complexes: Syntheses, structures and fluorescence cell imaging

Three mononuclear organotin(IV) complexes supported by Schiff bases have been synthesized. The complexes [(C6H5)(2)Sn(L)] (1), [(t-Bu)(2)Sn(L)] (2) and [(t-Bu)(2)Sn(L')] (3) (L, L' = deprotonated Schiff bases) were obtained in good yield by the reaction of Schiff bases H2L or H2L with corresponding diorganotin dichlorides respectively. All newly synthesized complexes were characterized by means of FT-IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and multinuclear (H-1, C-13 and Sn-119) NMR spectroscopy. In addition, single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses were employed to establish the solid state molecular structures of these complexes. The structures of 1-3 reveal that all complexes are mononuclear with a five-coordinated tin(IV) centre in it. The absorption and emission properties of all complexes have been investigated. Moreover, cytotoxicity and fluorescence cell imaging studies of theses complexes have been performed.