Preparation and properties of unsymmetrical tetraorganotin compounds

The Scope of Direct Alkylation of Gold Surface with Solutions of C1-C4 n-Alkylstannanes

Treatment of cleaned gold surfaces with dilute tetrahydrofuran or chloroform solutions of tetraalkylstannanes (alkyl = methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl) or di-n-butylmethylstannyl tosylate under ambient conditions causes a self-limited growth of disordered monolayers consisting of alkyls and tin oxide. Extensive use of deuterium labeling showed that the alkyls originate from the stannane and not from ambient impurities, and that trialkylstannyl groups are absent in the monolayers, contrary to previous proposals. Methyl groups attached to the Sn atom are not transferred to the surface. Ethyl groups are transferred slowly, and propyl and butyl rapidly. In all cases, tin oxide is codeposited in submonolayer amounts. The monolayers were characterized by ellipsometry, contact angle goniometry, polarization modulated IR reflection absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with ferrocyanide/ferricyanide, which revealed a very low charge-transfer resistance. The thermal stability of the monolayers and their resistance to solvents are comparable with those of an n-octadecanethiol monolayer. A preliminary examination of the kinetics of monolayer deposition from a THF solution of tetra-n-butylstannane revealed an approximately half-order dependence on the bulk solution concentration of the stannane, hinting that more than one alkyl can be transferred from a single stannane molecule. A detailed structure of the attachment of the alkyl groups is not known, and it is proposed that it involves direct single or multiple bonding of one or more C atoms to one or more Au atoms.

The ion channel of F-ATP synthase is the target of toxic organotin compounds

ATP is the universal energy currency of living cells, and the majority of it is synthesized by the F1F0 ATP synthase. Inhibitors of this enzyme are therefore potentially detrimental for all life forms. Tributyltin chloride (TBT-Cl) inhibits ATP hydrolysis by the Na(+)-translocating ATP synthase of Ilyobacter tartaricus or the H(+)-translocating counterpart of Escherichia coli with apparent Ki of 200 nM. To target the site of this inhibition, we synthesized a tritium-labeled derivative of TBT-Cl in which one of the butyl groups was replaced by a photoactivatable aryldiazirine residue. Upon illumination, subunit a of the ATP synthase becomes specifically modified, and this labeling is suppressed in the presence of the original inhibitor. In case of the Na+ ATP synthase, labeling is also suppressed in the presence of Na+ ions, suggesting an interference in Na+ or TBT-Cl binding to subunit a. This interference is corroborated by the protection of ATP hydrolysis from TBT-Cl inhibition by 105 mM Na+. TBT-Cl strongly inhibits Na+ exchange by the reconstituted I. tartaricus ATP synthase. Taken together these results indicate that the subunit a ion channel is the target site for ATPase inhibition by toxic organotin compounds. An inhibitor interacting specifically with this site has not been reported previously.