Synthesis and structure of an ether-bridged double ladder compound: potential in host–guest chemistry

The synthesis of the first example of an organotin double ladder (6) containing a functional group within the spacer is reported. In the solid state, compound 6 shows an interlaminar cavity whose size and shape suggest the possibility of host–guest chemistry. 119Sn-NMR and ESMS show that compound 6 undergoes extensive dissociation in solution. ESMS of compound 6 to which have been added Li+, Na+, Mg2+ or Cu2+ show only minimal interaction.