Tetrabutyltin is a stable organotin

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 by Edward Frankland in 1849...

 compound and combustible, colourless liquid at room temperature. It is incompatible with strong oxidizing agent

Oxidizing agent

An oxidizing agent can be defined as a substance that removes electrons from another reactant in a redox chemical reaction...

s. It has the molecular formula C₁₆H₃₆Sn. Sometimes the abbreviation SnBu₄ and TTBT are used.

Tetrabutyltin is the starting material of the tributyltin

Tributyltin

Tributyltin compounds are a group of compounds containing the 3Sn moiety, such as tributyltin hydride or tributyltin oxide. They are the main active ingredients in certain biocides used to control a broad spectrum of organisms...

 and dibutyltin compounds. It is produced by the reaction of tin(IV) chloride

Tin(IV) chloride

Tin chloride, also known as tin tetrachloride or stannic chloride is a chemical compound with the formula SnCl4.At room temperature it is a colourless liquid, which fumes on contact with air, giving a stinging odor...

 with 1-chlorobutane

1-Chlorobutane

1-Chlorobutane is an alkyl halide with the chemical formula C4H9Cl. It reacts with lithium metal to give n-butyllithium:...

. This reaction involves either the Grignard reaction

Grignard reaction

The Grignard reaction is an organometallic chemical reaction in which alkyl- or aryl-magnesium halides add to a carbonyl group in an aldehyde or ketone. This reaction is an important tool for the formation of carbon–carbon bonds...

, the Wurtz reaction

Wurtz reaction

The Wurtz reaction, named after Charles-Adolphe Wurtz, is a coupling reaction in organic chemistry, organometallic chemistry and recently inorganic main group polymers, whereby two alkyl halides are reacted with sodium to form a new carbon-carbon bond:...

, or butyl aluminium compounds. Pure SnBu₄ can be mixed with tin(IV) chloride to form tributyltin chloride and dibutyltin chloride. These tin compounds are starting materials for a wide range of organotin compounds used as stabilizers for PVC

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride is a plastic.PVC may also refer to:*Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor*Peripheral venous catheter, a small, flexible tube placed into a peripheral vein in order to administer medication or fluids...

, biocides, fungicides, and anti-biofouling

Biofouling

Biofouling or biological fouling is the undesirable accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or animals on wetted structures.-Impact:...

agents.