Regioselectivity of tributyltin ether mediated alkylations. A /sup 119/Sn and /sup 13/C NMR study

The /sup 119/Sn and /sup 13/C NMR spectra of the stannylated species resulting from the treatment of conformationally rigid polyhydroxylated compounds with bis(tributyltin) oxide have been determined and the effect of N-methylimidazole, added as catalyst in tributyltin ether mediated regioselective alkylations, has been investigated. The observed signal intensity changes, upfield shifts, signal broadenings, and the results of variable temperature experiments have been interpreted as indicative of the selective formation of pentacoordinated tin species, involving conveniently disposed adjacent hydroxyl groups, on addition of the catalyst. On these bases, a mechanistic hypothesis for the observed regioselectivity of N-methylimidazole-catalyzed tributyltin ether mediated benzylations is proposed. 13 references, 5 tables.