Polymeric[mu(3)-(N-phosphonomethyl)-glycinato]tris(tri-n-butyltin).

N-(Phosphonomethyl)glycine, glyphosate, reacts with bis(tributyltin) oxide to form a ligand--tin (1:3) complex in which all five O atoms are coordinated to tin. The complex, [Sn(3)(C(4)H(9))(9)(C(3)H(5)NO(5)P)], is polymeric, with the glyphosate and two tributyltin groups forming a two-dimensional network and with the third Sn atom alternately above and below the plane of the net. The Sn atoms in the network have a trigonal-bipyramidal coordination, with O atoms in the axial positions and C atoms in the equatorial positions; the pendant tributyltin group is tetrahedrally coordinated to one O atom and to three butyl groups. Sn--O distances vary from 2.030 (3) to 2.408 (3) A. The Sn--O distances for O atoms trans to carboxylate groups are shorter than those trans to phosphonate groups and d(Sn--O) decreases with increasing d(C/P--O) (Delta(Sn--O) approximately -4.6 Delta(C/P--O)). The amino N atom in the ligand is neither protonated nor involved in coordination to the Sn atoms.