A leaving group strategy for the selective functionalisation of an imido Sn(II) cubane

Controlled hydrolysis of the cubane [SnNtBu]4 with H2O int thf-MeCN provides a direct route to the oxo complex [Sn4(NtBu)3O], reaction of which with naphNHLi (naph = 1-naphthyl) gives the heteroleptic cubane [Sn4(NtBu)3(Nnaph)] at the sole product.