Stabilisation of an ortho-deprotonated mesityl group within the unusual [{2,4,6-Me3C6H2P}{4,6-Me2C6H2(2-CH2)P} Sn]^3– stannate ion

The reaction of 2,4,6-Me3C6H2PHNa with Sn(NMe2)2(3 : 1 equivalents, respectively) results in the formation of the unusual [{2,4,6-Me3C6H2P}{4,6-Me2C6H2(2-CH2)P}Sn]^3– stannate trianion in the heterometallic cage [{2,4,6-Me3C6H2P}{4,6Me2C6H2(2-CH2)P}Sn]Na3·2TMEDA]4(1), in which unprecedented ortho-Me deprotonation of a [2,4,6-Me3C6H2P]^2– ligand has occurred.