Tin(II) chloride

Tin(II) chloride (Stannous chloride, SnCl₂) is widely employed as reducing reagent. It plays significant role in diverse fields of science. Since it exhibits superior catalytic action in molten state, it is employed for the hydroliquefaction of coals. It is a promising raw material for the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of semiconducting layers. It can be prepared by reacting its dihydrate form with acetic anhydride. It exhibits reducing properties in acidic media. It participates in the reduction of the following compounds:

• aromatic nitro compounds
• nitriles
• cyanosilyl ethers
• organic azides

On mixing sodium cyanoborohydride with SnCl₂ in a 2:1 ratio, a reducing reagent mixture is obtained. This reagent is useful for the reduction of tertiary, allyl and benzyl halides.

Tin(II) chloride has been used for the reduction of hydroperxoxides to the corresponding alcohols in a study.

Tin(II) chloride may be used:

• To catalyze the addition of diazo sulfones, diazo phosphine oxides and diazo phosphonates to aldehydes to form β-keto sulfones, β-keto phosphine oxides and β-keto phosphonates, respectively.
• Along with trityl chloride, to catalyze the aldol reaction of silyl enol ethers with acetals or aldehydes and the Michael reaction of silyl enol ethers with α,β-unsaturated ketones.
• As a promoter in the allylic amination of allylic alcohols with amines in the presence of palladium catalyst.