Synthesis, structure and reactivity of hydrated and dehydrated organotin cations

Monomeric organotin dications {[nBu<SUB>2</SUB>Sn(H<SUB>2</SUB>O)<SUB>4</SUB>]<SUP>2+</SUP>&#183;2C<SUB>6</SUB>H<SUB>5</SUB>SO<SUB>3</SUB><SUP>-</SUP>} and {[nBu<SUB>2</SUB>Sn(H<SUB>2</SUB>O)<SUB>4</SUB>]<SUP>2+</SUP>&#183;1,5-C<SUB>10</SUB>H<SUB>6</SUB>(SO<SUB>3</SUB>-)<SUB>2</SUB>} have been synthesized by the reaction of [nBu<SUB>2</SUB>SnO]<SUB>n</SUB> and the corresponding arylsulfonic acid. Dodecanuclear organooxotin macrocations {[(nBuSn)<SUB>12</SUB>(&#956; <SUB>3</SUB>-O)<SUB>14</SUB>(&#956; <SUB>2</SUB>-OH)<SUB>6</SUB>]<SUP>2+</SUP>&#183;2RSO<SUB>3</SUB><SUP>-</SUP>} (R = C<SUB>6</SUB>H<SUB>5</SUB>; 2,5-Me<SUB>2</SUB>C<SUB>6</SUB>H<SUB>3</SUB>) have been synthesized by the reaction of nBuSn(O)(OH) and the corresponding arylsulfonic acid. The X-ray crystal structure of one of the dodecanuclear cages is reported. These organotin cations have been shown to be effective catalysts in acetylation and transacetylation reactions