Synthesis and supramolecular architectures of tetrakis(triorganostannyltetrazoles), including the crystal structure of hydrated 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(triethylstannyltetrazolyl)benzene

Six tetrakis(triorganostannyltetrazolyl)-alkanes and -benzenes have been prepared by a cycloaddition reaction between SnR3N3 and either 1,2,4,5-(NC)(4)C6H2, 1,1,3,3-(NC)(4)C3H4 or 1,3,3,5-(NC)(4)C5H8. All compounds contain tin in a trans-XYSnR3 environment; in anhydrous compounds the axial co-ordination about tin is exclusively from the tetrazoles (X, Y=N), while hydrated materials may also contain less symmetrical arrangements (X=N; Y=O). The structure of 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(triethylstannyltetrazolyl)benzene dihydrate has been determined and displays a complex three-dimensional network in which each tetrazole acts as at least a bidentate unit. One molecule of water co-ordinates one of the metal centres while the other is embedded in the lattice as a guest.