Stability and microtox response of butenyltin compounds

Abstract

AbstractTributenyltin bromides containing double bonds at carbon atoms C‐1, C‐2 or C‐3 were synthesized from symmetrical tetrabutenyltins. Although all three tetrabutenyltin compounds were stable, only the tributenyltin bromides with double bonds at C‐1 and C‐3 were sufficiently stable for further studies. In aqueous sodium bromide (NaBr) solution containing 1% acetone, tri‐1‐butenyltin bromide was more stable in sunlight than tri‐3‐butenyltin bromide, yet neither compound was as stable as tributyltin bromide. Stability in seawater, in the absence of ultraviolet (UV) light, was less for both tri‐1‐butenyltin bromide and tri‐3‐butenyltin bromide than for tributyltin bromide. The relative toxicities of the tributenyltin bromides were determined using a bioluminescent bacteria assay. The concentrations of tributenyltin bromides necessary to produce a toxic response were three to six times greater than for tributyltin bromide.