Tin(II) oxalate

Tin(II) oxalate is an inorganic compound, a salt of tin and oxalic acid with the chemical formula SnC
₂O
₄. The compound looks like colorless crystals, does not dissolve in water, and forms crystalline hydrates.

Synthesis

Effect of oxalic acid solution on tin(II) oxide :

${\displaystyle {\mathsf {SnO H_{2}C_{2}O_{4}\ {\xrightarrow {}}\ SnC_{2}O_{4}\downarrow H_{2}O}}}$

Tin(II) oxalate can also be obtained by using tin(II) chloride and oxalic acid.

Properties

Tin (II) oxalate forms colorless crystals.

Insoluble in water and acetone. Soluble in dilute HCl, methanol, and petroleum ether.

Forms crystal hydrates of the composition SnC₂O₄•n H₂O, where n = 1 and 2.

Decomposes on heating:

${\displaystyle {\mathsf {SnC_{2}O_{4}\ {\xrightarrow {380^{o}C}}\ SnO_{2} 2CO}}}$

Applications

• Tin oxalate is used as a catalyst in the production of organic esters and plasticizers.
• It is used for dyeing and printing fabrics.
• The compound is also used in stannous oral care compositions.
• Few studies have reported on the use of tin(II) oxalate as an anode material for rechargeable lithium batteries.

References