Stability and Microtox response of butenyltin compounds

Tributenyltin bromides containing double bonds at carbon atoms C-1, C-2 or C-3 were synthesized from symmetrical tetrabutenyltins. Although all three tetrabutenyltin compounds were stable, only the tributenyltin bromides with double bonds at C-1 and C-3 were suficiently stable for further studies. In aqueous sodium bromide (NaBr) solution containing 1% acetone, tri-1-butenyltin bromide was more stable in sunlight than tri-3-butenyltin bromide, yet neither compound was as stable as tributyltin bromide. Stability in seawater, in the absence of ultraviolet (UV) light, was less for both tri-1-butenyltin bromide and tri-3-butenyltin bromide than for tributyltin bromide. The relative toxicities of the tributenyltin bromides were determined using a bioluminescent bacteria assay. The concentrations of tributenyltin bromides necessary to produce a toxic response were three to six times greater than for tributyltin bromide.