Diaquatetrabromidotin(IV) trihydrate

Abstract

The title compound, [SnBr4(H2O)2] ·3H2O, forms large colourless crystals in originally sealed samples of tin tetra-bromide. It constitutes the first structurally characterized hydrate of SnBr4 and is isostructural with the corresponding -hydrate of SnCl4. It is composed of SnIV atoms octahedrally coordinated by four Br atoms and two cis-related water molecules. The octa-hedra exhibit site symmetry 2. They are arranged into columns along [001] via medium-strong O - H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the two lattice water molecules (one situated on a twofold rotation axis) while the chains are interconnected via longer O - H⋯Br hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network.