Silylated Stannanes and Stannides

Tris(trimethylsilyl)stannyl potassium can be prepared by reaction of tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)stannane with ^tBuOK. The compound allows for the easy introduction of a trisilylated stannyl ligand. To vary its steric and electronic properties, the replacement of trimethylsilyl for bulkier triorganosilyl groups or methyl or phenyl groups is possible. As long as the thus obtained stannanes still bear trimethylsilyl groups, they can be further converted to potassium stannides by reaction with ^tBuOK. The reactions of 6-fold trimethylsilylated distannanes and silastannanes with ^tBuOK permit access to even bulkier stannides and further to 1,2-dimetalated compounds. NMR spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of the stannides provide insights into their electronic and structural properties.