Synthesis and supramolecular structure of [Me3Sn(μ-C2N10)SnMe3(H2O)]n, the first metal–organic azotetrazolate

The first metal–organic azotetrazolate, [Me3Sn(μ-C2N10)SnMe3(H2O)]n (2), was prepared in 61% isolated yield by the reaction of disodium azotetrazolate (Na2AZT⋅ 5H2O, 1) with 2 equivalents of Me3SnCl in aqueous solution. An X-ray diffraction study revealed a novel supramolecular structure of 2 in the crystal. Two different coordination environments around tin result in the formation of an unexpected zig-zag chain structure in the solid state with H2O ligands coordinated to every second Sn atom ligands terminating the alternating corners of the zig-zag chain. Both hydrogen atoms of the coordinated water molecules are engaged in O–H⋅⋅⋅N to different azotetrazolate dianions, leading to an interlocking of the zig-zag chain in a zipper-like overall crystal structure. Despite its fairly low nitrogen content of only 27.48% the title compound was found to be sensitive to both impact and friction.