Tetrabutyltin, which is used in hydrogenolysis reactions and as a transition metal catalyst.
Safety Profile
Poison by intravenous, intraperitoneal, and parented routes. Moderately toxic by skin contact. An eye irritant. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. See also TIN COMPOUNDS.
Purification Methods
Dissolve it in Et2O, dry it over MgSO4, filter, evaporate and distil it under reduced pressure. Although it does not crystallise easily, once the melt has crystallised, then it will recrystallise more easily. It is soluble in Et2O, Me2CO, EtOAc and EtOH but insoluble in MeOH and H2O, and shows no apparent reaction with H2O. [Johnson & Fritz J Org Chem 19 74 1954, Staveley J Chem Soc 1992 1954, Van der Kerk & Luitzen Org Synth Coll Vol IV 822 1963, Beilstein 4 III 1920, 4 IV 4312.]
