A highly selective synthesis of R2SnX2 (R = alkyl, X = Br, Cl) species directly from tin and alkyl halides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(87)80275-9

The reaction : Sn + 2RX -> SnR2X2 (X = Cl, Br) occurs at relatively low temperature (80 - 120 degC) and with selectives as high as 95 - 99percent in the presence of catalytic system fored by a crown ether and potassium iodide.The reaction is favoured by aprotic dipolar solvents such as dimethylformamide; the presence of an alkyl iodide as cocatalyst has a positive effect, the selectivity remaining unchanged.