Tetrabutyltin is the

organotin Organotin compounds or stannanes are chemical compounds based on tin with hydrocarbon substituents. Organotin chemistry is part of the wider field of organometallic chemistry. The first organotin compound was diethyltin diiodide (), discovered ...

compound with the

molecular formula In chemistry, a chemical formula is a way of presenting information about the chemical proportions of atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound or molecule, using chemical element symbols, numbers, and sometimes also other symbols, ...

(C₄H₉)₄Sn or SnBu₄. Sometimes abbreviated TTBT, it is a colorless, lipophilic oil. Tetrabutyltin is a precursor to

tributyltin Tributyltin (TBT) is an umbrella term for a class of organotin compounds which contain the (C4H9)3 Sn group, with a prominent example being tributyltin oxide. For 40 years TBT was used as a biocide in anti-fouling paint, commonly known as ...

and dibutyltin compounds. By the redistribution reaction with

tin(IV) chloride Tin(IV) chloride, also known as tin tetrachloride or stannic chloride, is an inorganic compound with the formula Sn Cl4. It is a colorless hygroscopic liquid, which fumes on contact with air. It is used as a precursor to other tin compounds. It ...

it forms

tributyltin chloride Tributyltin chloride is an organotin compound with the formula ( C4H9)3SnCl. It is a colorless liquid that is soluble in organic solvents. Preparation and reactions The compound is prepared by a redistribution reaction by combining stannic chl ...

and dibutyltin chloride. These compounds are starting materials for a wide range of organotin compounds used as stabilizers for PVC and as biocides,

fungicides Fungicides are biocidal chemical compounds or biological organisms used to kill parasitic fungi or their spores. A fungistatic inhibits their growth. Fungi can cause serious damage in agriculture, resulting in critical losses of yield, quality ...

, wood preservatives, and (historically) marine anti-

biofouling Biofouling or biological fouling is the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals where it is not wanted on surfaces such as ship and submarine hulls, devices such as water inlets, pipework, grates, ponds, and rivers that ...

agents.

References

{{Reflist Organotin compounds Tin(IV) compounds Butyl compounds