A bis-sulfonyl O,C,O aryl pincer ligand and its tin(II) complex: synthesis, structural studies, and DFT calculations

The efficiency of the deprotonated aryl bis-sulfone [2,6-{(p-tolyl)SO2}2C6H3](-) as an O,C,O-coordinating pincer-type ligand was described. The bis-sulfone precursor was synthesized using a straightforward palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction. As a result of directed ortho metalation (DoM) through sulfonyl groups, a selective lithiation of the aryl group was achieved and the corresponding carbanion was isolated and its structure determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. A heteroleptic tin(II) complex has been prepared by a nucleophilic substitution reaction. Crystallographic analysis and DFT calculations indicate that the bis-sulfonyl moiety acts as a new O,C,O-coordinating pincer-type ligand with intramolecular S=O coordination to a tin(II) center. The cis form with the two nonbonded oxygen atoms of the sulfonyl groups on the same side is preferentially obtained.