Photochemical Generation of Tribromostannate(II) by Redox and Substitution Reactions

Photocatalysis by m etal complexes is a rapidly expanding branch of catalysis and photochem istry [1], For special applications the light-induced for­ m ation of catalysts offers distinct advantages or is even required. As an exam ple the base-catalyzed cross-linking of polymers for lithographic image form ation may be m entioned [2], Accordingly, it is of general importance to search for photochem ically generated com pounds which are potential catalysts. Tin(II) com pounds have been applied in a variety of technical processes including catalytic reactions such as polym erizations [3, 4], In this context our observations on the photochem ical generation of [SnBr3]~ should be of some interest although an immediate application is not antici­ pated. As an im portant aspect of the present work it is dem onstrated that quite different com pounds, [SnBr6]2~ and [Ru(SnBr3)5Br]4_, can be used as precursors for the light-induced generation of [SnBr3]~. However, the reaction conditions such as the photoactive wavelength region are rather different for both compounds. The appropriate choice of suitable param eters could be crucial for potential applications.