Abstract Reaction of Ph 3 SnLi with Ph 2 SiCl 2 or Ph 2 GeCl 2 at− 78 C in THF yields (Ph 3 Sn) 2 SiPh 2 (1) and (Ph 3 Sn) 2 GePh 2 (2). The crystal structure of 1 (R= 0.075) exhibits Sn Si distances of 257.2 (4) and 257.9 (5) pm, an Sn Si Sn angle of 118.5 (2), and a central C 3 Sn SiC 2 SnC 3 molecular skeleton with symmetry close to C 2. The geminal NMR coupling 2 J (119 Sn⋯ 119 Sn) in 1, and in a tri-, tetra-and pentastannane series ...
