Organotin biocides. Part 11. Triphenyltin benzoates: electronic versus steric control of structure

Abstract
Twenty four triphenyltin derivatives of substituted benzoic acids have been synthesised. On the basis of i.r., 119Sn n.m.r., and Mössbauer spectroscopic data, structures have been assigned to these compounds as either tetrahedral monomers or trans-SnR3O2 polymers. The choice of structure in these systems is dictated by both steric and electronic effects, and for two compounds (2,6-dichloro- and 2-nitro-benzoates) evidence suggests that both structures occur. The factors which influence the preferred structure are discussed.