Fission of silicon–arsenic and tin–arsenic bonds by covalent halides and protic reagents

Abstract

The effect of halides and protic reagents upon the silicon–arsenic and tin–arsenic bonds in Me₃SiAsMe₂ and Me₃SnAsMe₂ respectively has been investigated. Halogens and covalent halides have invariably caused fission of both the silicon–arsenic and the tin–arsenic bonds. Protic reagents were, however, somewhat more selective, in that whilst hydrogen sulphide and thiols caused fission of both silicon–arsenic and tin–arsenic bonds, water and alcohols only attack the silicon–arsenic bond. Ammonia, diethylamine, diphenylphosphine, cyclopentadiene, and phenylacetylene failed to react with silicon or tin arsines.