Wurtz-type reductive coupling reaction of primary alkyl iodides and haloorganotins in cosolvent/H2O(NH4Cl)/Zn media as a route to mixed alkylstannanes and hexaalkyldistannanes

Mixed tetra-alkylstannanes R3SnR' (R = Et, n-Pr, n-Bu and RI = Me, Et, n-Pr, n-Bu, n-Pent) and R2SnR2' (R = n-Bu and R' = Me, Et, n-Pr, n-Bu) can be easily prepared in a one-pot synthesis via coupling reaction of alkyl iodides R'I with R3SnX (X = Cl, I) and R2SnCl2 compounds in cosolvent-H2O(NH4Cl) medium mediated by zinc dust. Coupling also occurs with (Bu3Sn)(2)O. It has been verified that reactions are possible only with primary alkyl iodides; with secondary alkyl iodides the coupling reaction fails. When alkyl chlorides and bromides are used ditin compounds are obtained instead of the unsymmetrical tetra-alkylstannanes. This represents a route to hexaalkyldistannanes