Dibutyltin dilaurate


Dibutyltin dilaurate is an organotin compound with the formula. It is a colorless viscous and oily liquid. It is used as a catalyst.

Description

Dibutyltin dilaurate consists of two laurate groups and two butyl groups coordinated to a tin atom. The coordination geometry at the tin center is tetrahedral. Based on the crystal structure of the related bis(bromobenzoate), the oxygen atoms of the carbonyl groups are weakly bonded to tin atom. The compound is a dibutyltin ester of lauric acid.

Decomposition

Upon heating to decomposition temperature, dibutyltin dilaurate emits acrid smoke and fumes.

Uses

Dibutyltin dilaurate is used as a paint additive. Together with dibutyltin dioctanoate, dibutyltin dilaurate is used as a catalyst for polyurethane production from isocyanates and diols. It is also useful as a catalyst for transesterification and for the room temperature vulcanization of silicones. It is also used as a stabilizer in polyvinyl chloride, vinyl ester resins, lacquers, and elastomers. It is also added to animal feed to remove cecal worms, roundworms, and tapeworms in chickens and turkeys and to prevent or provide treatment against hexamitosis and coccidiosis.

Hazards and toxicity

Dibutyltin dilaurate can be absorbed through the skin. It irritates skin and eyes. It is a neurotoxin. It can cause injuries to the liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms of poisoning with dibutyltin dilaurate include nausea, headache, muscular weakness and even paralysis.
Dibutyltin dilaurate is very reactive with acids and oxidizers, and it is combustible. It emits irritating and toxic fumes and smoke when burned, which contain tin, tin oxides and carbon oxides. Moreover, its vapor is much denser than air, so it can spread on floors, resulting in explosive conditions or asphyxiation hazards.

Related compounds