Tin (IV) Chloride Formula: Synthesis, Structure & Applications

Tin (IV) chloride formula refers to the chemical formula used to represent the compound. The chemical formula for tin(IV) chloride is SnCl₄. Tin (IV) chloride is also known as stannic chloride, tin tetrachloride, tetrachlorostannane. 

• The molecular mass of tin (IV) chloride is 260.5 g/mol. 
• Tin (IV) chloride is an inorganic compound.
• Tin (IV) chloride was discovered by Andreas Libavius.
• Tin (IV) chloride is also known as spiritus fumans libavii.

Read More: Hydrogen Chloride

Key Terms: Tin (IV) Chloride, Stannic Chloride, Pentahydrate, Lewis Acid, Hygroscopic, Chemical Weapon.

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Tin (IV) Chloride Formula

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The chemical formula to write tin(IV) chloride is SnCl₄. Tin (IV) chloride is a hygroscopic compound. It exists as pentahydrate. The formula for tin(IV) chloride pentahydrate SnCl₄. 5H₂O. 

• Tin (IV) chloride was also known as butter of tin. 
• It is colourless fuming liquid.
• It has an acrid odor.
• The refractive index of tin(IV) chloride is 1.512.

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Synthesis of Tin(IV) Chloride

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Tin (IV) chloride is synthesized in laboratories by the reaction of tin with gaseous chlorine at 115℃. The chemical equation for the same is-

Sn + 2Cl₂ → SnCl₄

Another method for preparing tin(IV) chloride is by strongly heating potassium hexachlorostannate into tin(IV) chloride and potassium chloride. The chemical reaction equation is shown below-

K₂SnCl₆ → SnCl₄ + 2KCl

Read More:  Chlorine Trifluoride

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Structure of Tin (IV) Chloride

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Tin (IV) chloride is a liquid at room temperature. It solidifies at -33℃. Anhydrous tin (IV) chloride has a monoclinic crystal structure when solidifies. It has a crystal structure similar to tin (IV) bromide. SnCl₄ has tetrahedral structure and the average Sn-Cl bond length is 227.93pm. 

Tin (IV) Chloride Structure

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Properties of Tin (IV) Chloride

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Tin (IV) chloride is a reactive compound. Some of the properties of tin (IV) chloride are-

• The melting point of anhydrous tin(IV) chloride is -33℃.
• The melting point of tin (IV) chloride pentahydrate is 56℃.
• The density of anhydrous tin(IV) chloride is 2.226g/cm³.
• The density of tin (IV) chloride pentahydrate is 2.04 g/cm³.
• The boiling point of the compound is 114.15℃.
• It is a Lewis acid.
• It is soluble in organic solvents like alcohol, benzene, acetone, kerosene, methanol, gasoline, chloroform, etc.

Read More: Potassium Chlorate

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Uses of Tin (IV) Chloride

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Stannic chloride is a hygroscopic compound and when it makes contact with air it produces fumes. The compound is widely used as a precursor to other compounds of tin. In its anhydrous form, tin (IV) chloride is a precursor in organotin compounds.

 

• It is also used as a polymer stabilizer.
• SnCl₄ when reacted with Grignard reagent, it produces tetraalkyltin compounds. The reaction equation for the same is-

SnCl₄ + 4RMgCl → Sn(R)₄ + 4MgCl₂

Now suppose, R = C₂H₅

SnCl₄ + 4 C₂H₅MgCl → Sn(C₂H₅)₄ + 4MgCl₂

• In redistribution reactions, tin (IV) chloride reacts with tetraorganotin. The reaction is,

SnCl₄ + SnR₄ → 2SnCl₂R₂

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Things to Remember

• The molecular formula for tin(IV) chloride is SnCl₄. 
• Stannic chloride is a Lewis acid.
• In World War Ⅰ, tin (IV) chloride was used as a chemical weapon.
• It is used for preparing tin oxide coatings for toughening of glass. 
• It is a precursor to tin compounds. 
• Tin (IV) chloride is soluble in organic solvents.
• The vapor pressure of tin (IV) chloride is 2.4pka.

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