Tetramethyl Stannane, Sn(CH₃)₄

Tin Tetramethyl or Tetramethyl Stannane, Sn(CH₃)₄, prepared by the interaction of tin-sodium alloy and methyl iodide, is an ethereal liquid of density 1.314 at 0° C., insoluble in water and boiling at 78° C. Some tin trimethyl iodide, Sn(CH₃)₃I, boiling at 170° C. and having a density of 2.143 at 0° C., is formed at the same time. Tin dimethyl di-iodide, Sn(CH₃)₂I₂, formed by heating sheet-tin with methyl iodide at 150° C., forms yellow monoclinic crystals which melt at 30° C., forming a liquid which boils at 228° C. (Cahours). To this compound there correspond the oxide Sn(CH₃)₂O, dimethyl stannone, the chloride Sn(CH₃)₂Cl₂, melting at 90° C. and boiling at 188°-190° C., and the sulphate Sn(CH₃)₂SO₄.