A series of organotin(IV) complexes based on (E)-3-(3-nitrophenyl) acrylic acid: Syntheses, crystal structures and biological activities

A series of organotin carboxylates based on (E)-3-(3-nitrophenyl) acrylic acid (HL), namely {[Ph3SnL]·0.5C6H6}n (1), [(Ph3Sn)2O(L)(Ph3Sn)(L)]n (2) and [Bu2LSnOSnLBu2]2 (3), have been synthesized. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses. The structural analyses show that complexes 1–2 adopt 1D polymeric chain structures generated by the bridging carboxylate ligands and the five-coordinated tin centers. The structure of complex 3 is centro-symmetric and features a central rhombus Sn2O2 unit with two additional tin atoms linked at the O atoms. In addition, the antitumor activity of complex 3 has been studied.