Bis(stannyl)silanes of types R3Sn-SiR′2-SnR3 and R2(H)Sn-SiR′2-Sn(H)R2 with R′ being methyl, phenyl, iso-propyl or terf-butyl have been synthesized by treatment of difunctionalized diorganosilanes with alkali stannides (R = Me, tBu; R′= Me, iPr; 1 - 6, 8 ) or with triphenyltin chloride and magnesium (R = Ph; R′ = Me, iPh;Pr; 7, 9). Me3Sn-SitBu2-SnMe3 4, was halogenated using SnCl4, to yield the bis(chlorostannyl)silane 11.
The reaction of bis(stannyl)diorganosilanes R3SnSiR′SnR3 with catalytic amounts of Pd(PPh3)4 resulted in unexpected rearrangements under formation of the silyldistannanes R3SnSnR2SiR′R2. These compounds undergo addition reactions with alkynes. All compounds have been identified by NMR, IR, MS and elemental analysis. Compounds 5, 6 and 7 have also been characterized by X-ray crystallography.