Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Systems Derived from Organotin Nanobuilding Blocks

Abstract

A new synthesis of the macro-cation [(BuSn){sub 12}O{sub 14}(OH){sub 6}]{sup 2+} is described from commercially available and easy to handle BuSnO(OH) and p-toluene sulfonic acid. A crystalline compound, [(BuSn){sub 12}O{sub 14}(OH){sub 6}] (O{sub 3}SC{sub 6}H{sub 4}CH{sub 3}){sub 2}{center_dot}C{sub 4}H{sub 8}O{sub 2}, is obtained. It can react with tetramethylammonium hydroxide to yield the more versatile composition: [(BuSn){sub 12}O{sub 14}(OH){sub 6}](OH){sub 2}. The macro-cations are then used as nanobuilding blocks and assembled in rosary-like structures by carboxy-terminated poly(ethyleneglycol). The resulting system can be pictured as hybrid organic-inorganic alternated block co-polymers. Characterizations were performed with {sup 119}Sn NMR (solution and solid state), {sup 13}C CP-MAS NMR and FT-IR.