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The Synthesis of [Sn10SiSiMe334]2- Using a Metastable SnI Halide Solution Synthesized via a Co-condensation Technique
Published on: November 28, 2016
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Labile Low-Valent Tin Azides: Syntheses, Structural Characterization, and Thermal Properties
Rory Campbell1, Sumit Konar2, Steven Hunter2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield , Brook Hill, Sheffield, S3 7HF, U.K.
Inorganic Chemistry
|December 16, 2017
Summary
Researchers synthesized novel, stable low-valent tin azido complexes. These compounds, including Sn(N3)2(L)2 and {C(NH2)3}Sn(N3)3, show potential for safe energetic materials due to their stability and high nitrogen content.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Coordination Chemistry
Background:
- Tetracoordinate low-valent, mixed-ligand tin azido complexes are not well-established.
- Conventional synthesis of related energetic materials often requires bulky, weakly coordinating cations for stability.
- Understanding the structural and stability properties of novel azido complexes is crucial for developing new energetic materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize new tetracoordinate low-valent, mixed-ligand tin azido complexes.
- To investigate the stability and structural properties of these novel tin azido compounds.
- To explore efficient synthetic routes for these complexes and their potential as energetic materials.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of tin azido complexes via reactions of tin(II) halides (SnCl2, SnF2) with azide sources (NaN3, Me3SiN3) in the presence of pyridine or 4-picoline ligands.
- Characterization using spectroscopic techniques (e.g., XRD) and crystallographic analysis.
- Computational analysis using DFT-D calculations for structural validation.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of two new tin azido complexes, Sn(N3)2(L)2 (L=py, pic), which are shock- and friction-insensitive and stable at room temperature.
- Development of a fast and efficient method for preparing Sn(N3)2 (1) in microcrystalline form.
- Formation of a salt-like compound, {C(NH2)3}Sn(N3)3 (4), with high nitrogen content (55%) and comparable stability without bulky cations.
- Structural elucidation of Sn(N3)2 (1) as a lighter binary azide homologue of Pb(N3)2, revealing insights into azide-based H-bonded networks.
Conclusions:
- Novel, stable, low-valent tin azido complexes can be synthesized efficiently.
- These complexes, particularly those with high nitrogen content, exhibit promising stability characteristics for potential energetic material applications.
- The study provides valuable structural and synthetic insights into tin-azide chemistry and H-bonded networks in polyazides.

