Organotin

Organotin compounds are based on tin with hydrocarbon substituents and commonly have an oxidation state of tin(IV). Available in various chemical compositions, these compounds have multiple industrial and research applications.

Organotins are part of the chemical group classified as organometallic compounds. Organotin compounds are usually classified by oxidation states, with tin(IV) compounds being much more common and useful. The main types of organotins are diorganotin dithiolates with the formula R2Sn(SR′)2, with the Sn-S bond as the reactive component.

Organometallics are used in many research and industrial applications and have been studied for their possible anti-cancer properties.

• Organozinc reagents were among the first organometallics developed and are useful for cross-coupling reactions
• An organotin compound is commercially used as a stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride and consumes about 20,000 tons of tin each year; it removes allylic chloride groups and absorbs hydrogen chloride, thereby suppressing degradation
• Diorganotin carboxylates, like dibutyltin dilaurate, are used as catalysts for the polyurethane formation, for vulcanizing silicones, and for transesterifications
• n-Butyltin trichloride is used for chemical vapor deposition of tin dioxide layers on glass bottles
• Tributyltin compounds were formerly used as marine anti-biofouling agents for ocean-going ships, but toxicity concerns led the International Maritime Organization to impose a worldwide ban on these chemicals
• Tributyltins are used as antifungal agents in textiles and paper, wood pulp and paper mill systems, breweries, and industrial cooling systems
• Triphenyltin derivatives are active components of antifungal paints and agricultural fungicides
• Some triorganotins are used as miticides and acaricides
• Tributyltin oxide has been used extensively as a wood preservative