Some novel binuclear group 13 metal tin hydrides formed in Ar matrices following the codeposition of the metal vapor with SnH4.
IR measurements show that co-condensation of Al or Ga atoms (M) with SnH4 in a solid Ar matrix at about 12 K results mainly in the spontaneous insertion of the metal into an Sn-H bond to form the M(II) hydride HMSnH3. Simultaneously the Ga2 dimer also reacts with SnH4, possibly to form a nido-type cluster Ga2(mu-H)4Sn, with a metal-deficient cubane-like structure. All of these products are photolabile. Irradiation with visible light causes HMSnH3 to tautomerize to the novel dihydrido-bridged species H3M(mu-H)2Sn, which decomposes in turn under broad-band UV-visible light (lambda=200-800 nm); some H3Al(mu-H)2Sn is formed even on deposition. The data collected from experiments with SnH4 and SnD4 and different reagent concentrations, together with the results of quantum chemical calculations, are used to interpret the results and elucidate the structures and bonding of the new species.
Institut für Anorganische Chemie der Universität Karlsruhe, Engesserstrasse, Geb. 30.45, 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany.
Benjamin
B
Gaertner
Hans-Jörg
HJ
Himmel
Victoria A
VA
Macrae
Jennifer A J
JA
Pardoe
Paul G
PG
Randall
Anthony J
AJ
Downs