Synthesis, structure characterization and insecticidal activity of some triorganotin dithiocarbamates

A series of triorganotin dithiocarbamates R3SnS2CNR′2 (R = Cy, Ph; NR′2 = NEt2, N(n-Bu)2, N(i-Bu)2, N(n-Pr)2, N(CH2)5, NH(n-Pr), NH(n-Bu), NH(i-Bu)) has been synthesized using a low-temperature method. Their structures have been characterized by IR, Mössbauer and NMR spectroscopies. In the solid state, an unsymmetrical chelation of the dithiocarbamate ligand was found in all the compounds synthesized. The observation of two Sn–S distances in the compounds was confirmed in the crystal structure of tricyclohexyltin N-n-butyldithiocarbamate. In solution, the compounds were found to exhibit distorted tetrahedral structures. The insecticidal activities of the title compounds were screened against the second larval instar of the Anopheles stephensi Liston and Aedes aegypti (L.) mosquitoes. Results from the screening studies indicated that the triorganotin dithiocarbamates were effective larvicides against both species of larvae. However, there were no significant activity differences between the triphenyltin and tricyclohexyltin derivatives. A quantitative structure–activity relationship was also developed for the An. stephensi. Copyright  2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.