Alkyl Triarylstannanecarbodithioates: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Efficiency in RAFT Polymerization.

Eight alkyl triarylstannanecarbodithioates were synthesized starting from the corresponding triarylstannyl chlorides. They were fully characterized by IR and H, C, and Sn NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Their solid-state structures and geometric parameters were determined and compared to those of other classes of thiocarbonylthio compounds. These new organotin derivatives are efficient reversible chain-transfer agents for reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of styrene (St) and n-butyl acrylate (BA), with controlled number-average molecular weights and narrow dispersities (Ð<1.3). In some cases, loss of control of the polymerization was evidenced and supported by the observation of side products by Sn NMR spectroscopy. This phenomenon was attributed to the thermal instability of the Sn-RAFT terminal group.