Schiff base supported mononuclear organotin(IV) complexes: Syntheses, structures and fluorescence cell imaging

Abstract

Three mononuclear organotin(IV) complexes supported by Schiff bases have been synthesized. The complexes [(C 6 H 5 ) 2 Sn(L)] ( 1 ), [( t ‐Bu) 2 Sn(L)] ( 2 ) and [( t ‐Bu) 2 Sn(L')] ( 3 ) (L, L' = deprotonated Schiff bases) were obtained in good yield by the reaction of Schiff bases H 2 L or H 2 L′ with corresponding diorganotin dichlorides respectively. All newly synthesized complexes were characterized by means of FT‐IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and multinuclear ( 1 H, 13 C and 119 Sn) NMR spectroscopy. In addition, single crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses were employed to establish the solid state molecular structures of these complexes. The structures of 1 – 3 reveal that all complexes are mononuclear with a five‐coordinated tin(IV) centre in it. The absorption and emission properties of all complexes have been investigated. Moreover, cytotoxicity and fluorescence cell imaging studies of theses complexes have been performed.