Dibutyltin dichloride

Chemical Properties

Dibutyltin dichloride is a white to beige crystalline low melting mass. soluble in organic solvents such as benzene, toluene, ether and alcohols. It is difficult to dissolve in water. Decomposition (hydrolysis) occurs in hot water. Dibutyltin dichloride is flammable, low volatile and has a pungent odor.

Uses

Dibutyltin dichloride is used as an organotin intermediate. It serves as heat and light stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride plastics. It is also used in the preparation of methyl 2-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-5-iodobenzene by reacting with 2,5-diiodobenzoic acid. It acts as an esterification catalyst and a veterinary vermicide and tapeworm remedy. Further, it is used as ion exchange agent, process regulators and processing aids.

Preparation

Dibutyltin dichloride is manufactured from crude tetrabutyltin and tin tetrachloride and is usually catalysed with aluminium trichloride (Blunden & Evans, 1989; Gaver, 1997; Thoonen et al., 2001)

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion, intravenous, and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by skin contact. A severe skin and eye irritant. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. See also TIN COMPOUNDS. Combustible when exposed to heat or flame. A dangerous material; emits highly toxic fumes of HCl; wdl react with water or steam to produce heat and toxic fumes; can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. To Poison by ingestion, intravenous, and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by skin contact. A severe skin and eye irritant. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. See also TIN COMPOUNDS. Combustible when exposed to heat or flame. A dangerous material; emits highly toxic fumes of HCl; wdl react with water or steam to produce heat and toxic fumes; can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. Tofight fue, use water, foam, CO2, dry chemical.