A new strategy for the preparation of H2tdet intermediate–synthesis and crystal structure of {α-[Sn(edt)2(tdet)]}·{β-[Sn(edt)2(tdet)]} (edt = ethane-1,2-dithiolate, tdet=diethylenetrithiolato)

A mononuclear tin(IV) complex {α-[Sn(edt)2(tdet)]}·{β-[Sn(edt)2(tdet)]} was synthesized by the reaction of Sn(edt)2 and NaOH under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by X-ray structure analysis. Under hydrothermal conditions, two edt ligands turned into one tdet and this provides a new strategy for the preparation of H2 tdet from cheap material. In the complex, the distances of Sn–S (thiolate) are about 2.4 Å, but the distances of Sn–S (thioether) are about 2.8 Å. Two isomers were found in the molecule.