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Valence Bond Theory

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Coordination compounds and complexes exhibit different colors, geometries, and magnetic behavior, depending on the metal atom/ion and ligands from which they are composed. In an attempt to explain the bonding and structure of coordination complexes, Linus Pauling proposed the valence bond theory, or VBT, using the concepts of hybridization and the overlapping of the atomic orbitals. According to VBT, the central metal atom or ion (Lewis acid) hybridizes to provide empty orbitals of suitable...

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Updated: Apr 22, 2026

A Protocol for Safe Lithiation Reactions Using Organolithium Reagents

A Protocol for Safe Lithiation Reactions Using Organolithium Reagents

Published on: November 12, 2016

Dilithium hexaorganostannate(IV) compounds.

Ireen Schrader¹, Kornelia Zeckert, Stefan Zahn

¹Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Universität Leipzig, Johannisallee 29, 04103 Leipzig (Germany).

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)

|October 15, 2014

Summary

Researchers synthesized stable hexaaryltin(IV) dianions, expanding hypercoordination chemistry for main-group elements. These tin complexes feature unique electronic structures with significant tin 5s-orbital contributions.

Keywords:

computational chemistry hypercoordinate compounds metalates pyridyl ligands tin

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Published on: December 20, 2016

Area of Science:

Organometallic Chemistry
Main-Group Chemistry

Background:

Hypercoordination in heavier Group 14 elements typically necessitates electron-withdrawing ligands.
Achieving hypercoordinated main-group elements often requires specific electronic environments.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize and characterize novel hexaaryltin(IV) dianions.
To explore the stability and electronic properties of these hypercoordinated tin complexes.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of dilithium salts of hexaaryltin(IV) dianions.
Characterization using spectroscopic and crystallographic techniques.
Theoretical investigations using computational methods.

Main Results:

Successful synthesis and isolation of two stable hexaaryltin(IV) dianions: [Li2(thf)2{Sn(2-py(Me))6}] and [Li2{Sn(2-py(OtBu))6}].
Demonstrated stability of the synthesized compounds in solid-state and solution under inert conditions.
Theoretical studies revealed significant tin 5s-orbital contribution to the tin-carbon bonds in compound 2.

Conclusions:

The study presents novel examples of hypercoordinated tin(IV) species.
The findings contribute to understanding the electronic factors enabling hypercoordination in main-group elements.
The synthesized dianions offer new avenues for exploring hypervalent main-group chemistry.