Synthesis, structure determination and characterization by UV–Vis and IR spectroscopy of bis(diisopropylammonium) cis-dichloridobis(oxalato-κ2 O 1,O 2)stannate(IV)

The organic–inorganic title salt, (C6H16N)2[Sn(C2O4)2Cl2] or (iPr2NH2)2[Sn(C2O4)2Cl2], was obtained by reacting bis­(diiso­propyl­ammonium) oxalate with tin(IV) chloride dihydrate in methanol. The SnIV atom is coordinated by two chelating oxalate ligands and two chloride ions in cis positions, giving rise to an [Sn(C2O4)2Cl2]2− anion (point group symmetry 2), with the SnIV atom in a slightly distorted octa­hedral coordination. The cohesion of the crystal structure is ensured by the formation of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonding between (iPr2NH2)+ cations and [SnCl2(C2O4)2]2− anions. This gives rise to an infinite chain structure extending parallel to [101]. The main inter-chain inter­actions are van der Waals forces. The electronic spectrum of the title compound displays only one high intensity band in the UV region assignable to ligand–metal ion charge-transfer (LMCT) transitions. An IR spectrum was also recorded and is discussed.