The 1:2 or 1:3 stoichiometric reactions of Sn(NMe
2)
2 with
tBuPHM (M = Li, Na, K) in THF give theheterometallic alkali-metal/Sn(II) phosphinidene cages [{Sn
2(P
tBu)
3}
2Li
4·4THF] (
1), [{Sn
3(P
tBu)
4}Na·3THF]
-[Na(THF)
6]
+ (2), [{Sn
3(P
tBu)
4}
2(K·THF)
3]
-[K(THF)
6]
+ (
4), and [{Sn
4(P
tBu)
5}K
2·5THF] (
5) (THF =C
4H
8O). The 2:3
![](/images/entities/rarr.gif)
3:4
![](/images/entities/rarr.gif)
4:5 numerical progression observed in the Sn(II):P
tBu ratios of the[{Sn
2(P
tBu)
3}
2]
4-, [{Sn
3(P
tBu)
4}]
2-, and [{Sn
4(P
tBu)
5}]
2- anions of these complexes is dependent onthe alkali-metal countercations present. The fact that the Lewis base donor has no effect on theresulting Sn(II) phosphinidene anions is indicated by the formation of the PMDETA-solvated complex[{Sn
3(P
tBu)
4}Na
2·2PMDETA·THF] (
3) (PMDETA = (Me
2NCH
2CH
2)
2NMe) in the 1:2 reaction ofSn(NMe
2)
2 with
tBuPHNa in the presence of PMDETA (containing the same [{Sn
3(P
tBu)
4}]
2- dianionas found in
2). The syntheses and X-ray structures of the new complexes
2-
5 are discussed in relationto those of the previously reported complex
1.