Synthesis and characterization of pentagonal bipyramidal organotin(IV) complexes of 2,6-diacetylpyridine Schiff bases of S-alkyl- and aryldithiocarbazates

New organotin(IV) complexes with empirical formula Sn(SNNNS)R₂, where SNNNS is the dianionic form of 2,6-diacetylpyridine Schiff bases of S-methyldithiocarbazate (H₂dapsme) or S-benzyldithiocarbazate (H₂dapsbz) and R = Ph or Me, have been prepared and characterized by IR, UV-Vis, NMR and Mössbauer spectroscopic techniques and conductance measurements. The molecular structures of the Sn(dapsme)R₂ (R = Ph and Me) have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Both complexes have a distorted pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry in which the tin is coordinated by a dinegatively charged pentadentate chelating agent via pyridine nitrogen, two azomethine nitrogens, and two thiolate sulfurs. The five donors (N₃S₂) provided by the Schiff base occupy the equatorial plane close to a pentagonal planar array while the carbanion ligands occupy axial sites.     

Triorganotin derivatives of 1,2-BIS(2′-carboxyphenylamino)-ethane and -propane,and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

Fifteen new complexes have been prepared of the type (R₃Sn)₂ L, where L is the dianion of 1,2-bis(2′-carboxyphenylamino)-ethane-and -propane, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and R is Me, n-Pr, n-Bu, Ph, or cyclohexyl (Cy). Characterisation by IR, ¹H NMR and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy indicates that the ligands are bound only through oxgen. In most cases the carboxylates are bidentate and the tin five-coordinate. The Ph₃Sn and Cy₃Sn derivatives contain tetrahedral tin, with monodentate carboxylates.     

Syntheses and spectra of triphenyltin heteroarenethiolates: Crystal structures of triphenyltin 1-methyltetrazole-5-thiolate and triphenyltin benzoxazole-2-thiolate

Reactions between Ph₃SnCl and the sodium salts of 5-mercapto-1-methyltetrazole (MTS-H), 2-mercaptobenzoxazole (MBZ-H), 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT-H) and 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole (MMI-H) gave Ph₃Sn(MTS) (5: R=Ph, R′=Me), Ph₃Sn(MBZ) 6, Ph₃Sn(MBT) 7 and Ph₃Sn(MMI) 8, respectively. Characterisation has been carried out for all compounds by IR, Mössbauer, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy as well as by X-ray crystallography for (5: R=Ph, R′=Me) and 6. Both (5: R=Ph, R′=Me) and 6, in the solid state, have cis-trigonal bipyramidal geometries due to intramolecular Sn–N(2) interactions. Mössbauer data for 7 was interpreted as indicating a similar cis-trigonal bipyramid geometry. The chelating ability of nitrogen-containing heteroarenethiolato groups, based on the strength of Sn–N inter-molecular bonds in Ph₃SnS-heteroarenes, decreases in the sequence: pyridine-2-thiolato>pyrimidine-2-thiolato>1-methylimidazole-2-thiolato>benzoxazole-2-thiolato>1-methyltetrazole-5-thiolato>1-phenyltetrazole-5-thiolato. On dissolution, the Sn–N interactions in 5–8 undergo at least partial breakage.     

Synthesis, 119Sn Mössbauer spectroscopic studies and X-ray crystal structure determination of new seven-coordinate diorganotin(IV) complexes with S,N,N,N,S-pentadentate Schiff bases derived from 2,6-diacetylpyridine of S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazates

The reactions of the ligands 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(S-methyldithiocarbazate)] (H₂dapmdtc) and 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(S-benzyldithiocarbazate)] (H₂dapbdtc) with R_4-m SnCl _m (R = Me, ⁿ Bu, Ph; and m = 2) led to the formation of six seven-coordinate diorganotin(IV) complexes, which were studied by microanalysis, i.r., n.m.r (¹H, ¹¹⁹Sn) and Mössbauer spectroscopies. The X-ray structures determination of complexes [Me₂Sn(dapmdtc)], [Me₂Sn(dapbdtc)] and [Ph₂Sn(dapbdtc)] revealed the presence of neutral seven-coordinated complexes. The structures consist of monomeric units in which the Sn(IV) atom exhibits distorted pentagonal bipyramidal (PBP) geometry, with the S,N,N,N,S-donor systems of the ligands lying in the equatorial plane and organic groups in the apical positions. A correlation between Mössbauer and X-ray data based on the point-charge model is discussed.     

Correlation between quadrupole splitting (Δ) and the θ angle (C–Sn–C) in five-coordinate diphenyltin(IV) complexes. X-ray crystal structures of [Ph2Sn(hacm)] and [Ph2Sn(hacmm)] containing O , N , S -tridentate N 4-heterocyclic thiosemicarbazones

2-Hydroxyacetophenone N ⁴-morpholylthiosemicarbazone (H₂hacm) and 2-hydroxyacetophenone N ⁴-2,6-dimethylmorpholylthiosemicarbazone (H₂hacmm) form stable five-coordinate complexes of the compositions [Ph₂(hacm)] and [Ph₂Sn(hacmm)], respectively, which were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic (i.r., n.m.r. and M?ssbauer) studies. Both complexes and the H₂hacm ligand were also studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray structures determination of complexes revealed the presence of neutral molecules in which the tin(IV) atoms exhibit distorted trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) geometry, with the O,N,S-tridentate bifunctional behavior of the ligand. The C–Sn–C angles were calculated using a correlation between M?ssbauer and X-ray data based on the point-charge model.     

New di- and triorganotin(IV) complexes of tripodal Schiff base ligand containing three imidazole arms: Synthesis, structural characterization, anti-inflammatory activity and thermal studies

Some new tri- and diorganotin(IV) complexes of the general formula, R₃Sn(H₂L) and R′₂Sn(HL) [where R = Me, n-Pr, n-Bu and Ph; R′ = Me, n-Bu, Ph and n-Oct; H₃L = Schiff base (abbreviated as tren(4-Me-5-ImH)₃) derived from condensation of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) and 4-methyl-5-imidazolecarboxaldehyde (4-Me-5-ImH)] have been synthesized. The coordination behaviour of Schiff base towards organotin(IV) moieties is discussed on the basis of infrared and far-infrared, ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer and multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn) magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic studies. Thermal studies of all of the synthesized organotin(IV) complexes have been carried out using TG, DTG and DTA techniques. The residues thus obtained from pyrolysis of the studied complexes have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction analysis and IR. The newly synthesized complexes have been tested for their anti-inflammatory activity and toxicity (LD₅₀).     

Biocidal organotin compounds: Part 1. Preparation and characterization of triorganotin(IV) 4-pyridyl- and 2-pyrimidyl- thioacetates and the crystal structure of triphenyltin(2-pyrimidylthioacetate)

The preparation and spectroscopic characterization of [R₃Sn(O₂CCH₂SC₅H₄N-4)], R == Ph, benzyl (Bz), cyclohexyl (c-Hex) and n-Bu, and of [R₃Sn(O₂CCH₂SC₄H₃N₂-2,6)], R == Me, Ph and n-Bu, are reported. The 2-pyrimidyl compounds feature trigonal bipyramidal tin centres with trans-R₃SnO₂ geometries as was confirmed by X-ray crystallography for [Ph₃Sn(O₂CCH₂SC₄H₃N₂-2,6)]. ¶ By contrast the 4-pyridyl compounds have trigonal bipyramidal geometries in the solid state (arising from intermolecular Sn…N interaction) and tetrahedral geometries in solution. The biocidal activity of these compounds against the fungi Helminthosporium maydis (ITCC 2675) and H. oryzae (ITCC 2675), both of which damage crops such as maize and rice, shows promise. Encouraging is the observation that the compounds show no adverse phytotoxicity at concentrations to 10^?3M.     

Diorganotin(IV) complexes of N-protected dipeptides

Eight new diorganotin(IV) complexes of general formula R₂Sn(DP)₂ and [R₂Sn(DP)]₂O (DP = anion of N-benzoyl-dl-alanylglycine; R = CH₃, C₂H₅, n-C₄H₉, n-C₈H₁₇) have been prepared and characterised by IR, and ^119mSn Mössbauer spectroscopy. However, only two complexes, (DP)₂Sn(n-C₄H₉)₂ and (DP)₂Sn(n-C₈H₁₇)₂ were sufficiently soluble for NMR (¹H and ¹³C) studies. The 2 : 1 complexes are monomeric with distorted trans-octahedral structures. The 1 : 1 complexes are dinuclear with Sn-O-Sn bridges and trigonal bipyramidal geometry about tin. In both cases the dipeptide acts as an O,O-bidentate ligand.     

Synthesis and solid-state spectroscopic investigation of some novel diorganotin(IV) complexes of tetraazamacrocyclic ligands

The tetradendate macrocyclic ligands, [H₂L-1 = 5,12-dioxa-7,14-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-1,8-diene] and [H₂L-2 = 6,14-dioxa-8,16-dimethyl-1,5,9,13-tetraazacyclohexadeca-1,9-diene] have been prepared by the condensation reaction of 1,2-diaminoethane and 1,3-diaminopropane, respectively, with ethyl acetoacetate in methanol at room temperature. The diorganotin(IV) complexes of general formula [R₂Sn(L-1)/R₂Sn(L-2)] (R = Me, n-Bu and Ph) have been synthesized by template condensation reaction of 1,2-diaminoethane or 1,3-diaminopropane and ethyl acetoacetate with R₂SnCl₂ (R = Me or Ph) or n-Bu₂SnO in 2:2:1 molar ratio at ambient temperature (35 ± 2 °C) in methanol. The solid-state characterization of resulting complexes have been carried out by elemental analysis, IR, recently developed DART-mass, solid-state ¹³C NMR, ^119mSn Mössbauer spectroscopic studies. These studies suggest that in all of the studied complexes, the macrocyclic ligands act as tetradentate coordinating through four nitrogen atoms giving a skew-trapezoidal bipyramidal environment around tin center. Since, the studied diorganotin(IV) macrocyclic complexes are insoluble in common organic solvents, hence good crystals could not be grown for single crystal X-ray crystallographic studies. Thermal studies of all of the studied complexes have also been carried out in the temperature range 0-1000 °C using TG, DTG and DTA techniques. The end product of pyrolysis is SnO₂ confirmed by XRD analysis.     

Interaction between cobaltocenium and decamethylcobaltocenium salts and Ph3ELi (E = Si,Ge, Sn)

Reactions of cobaltocenium salts [(C₅R₅)₂Co]PF₆ (R = H, Me) with Ph3ELi (E = Si, Ge, Sn) and with Ph₂SbLi mainly follow two pathways (nucleophilic addition and one-electron reduction), yielding cobalt cyclopentadiene-cyclope ntadienyl complexes (⁴-Ph₃EC₅R₅)(⁵-C₅R₅)Co (R = H, E = Si, Ge, Sn; R = Me, E = Si) and cobaltocenes (C₅R₅)₂Co (R = H, Me), respectively. The contribution of nucleophilic addition of Ph₃ELi decreases in the order of elements Si > Ge > Sn and when hydrogen atoms are replaced by methyl groups in the initial cobaltocenium salt. Thermal decomposition of cobalt cyclopentadiene-cyclopentadienyl complexes results in substituted cobaltocenes.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya. No. 10, pp. 2557–2560, October, 1996.     

Organotin(IV) azido and mixed azidothiocyanato complex anions; A Mössbauer and vibrational spectroscopic study

Tetraphenylarsonium and tetramethylammonium salts of the complex anions Ph₃Sn(N₃)^?₂, Ph₃Sn(N₃)(NCS)^?, Me₂Sn(N₃)^2?₄ and Ph₂Sn(N₃)₂(NCS)^2?₂ have been synthesized, and the solid state configuration of the complex anions has been studied by Mössbauer and vibrational spectroscopies. Trigonal bipyramidal structures are advanced for the Ph₃Sn^IV derivatives, with equatorial SnC₃ and apical pseudohalide ligands, while the R₂Sn^IV compounds are assumed to be trans-octahedral species. The NCS^? ligands are observed to be N-bonded to Sn^IV. Conductance and PMR (for the Me₂Sn^IV compound) data suggest the presence of the complex anions also in solution phases.     

Synthesis,structural characterization and cytotoxic activity of diorganotin(IV) complexes of N‐(5‐halosalicylidene)‐α‐amino acid

Fourteen new diorganotin(IV) complexes of N‐(5‐halosalicylidene)‐α‐amino acid, R′₂Sn(5‐X‐2‐OC₆H₃CH?NCHRCOO) (where X = Cl, Br; R = H, Me, i‐Pr; R′ = n‐Bu, Ph, Cy), were synthesized by the reactions of diorganotin halides with potassium salt of N‐(5‐halosalicylidene)‐α‐amino acid and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn) spectra. The crystal structures of Bu₂Sn(5‐Cl‐2‐OC₆H₃CH?NCH(i‐Pr)COO) and Ph₂Sn(5‐Br‐2‐OC₆H₃CH?NCH(i‐Pr)COO) were determined by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction and showed that the tin atoms are in a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry and form five‐ and six‐membered chelate rings with the tridentate ligand. Bioassay results of a few compounds indicated that the compounds have strong cytotoxic activity against three human tumour cell lines, i.e. HeLa, CoLo205 and MCF‐7, and the activity decreased in the order Cy>n‐Bu>Ph for the R′ group bound to tin. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New di- and triorganotin(IV) derivatives of tyrosinylphenylalanine as models for metal-protein interactions: Synthesis and structural characterization. Crystal structure of Me2Sn(Tyr-Phe) · MeOH

New di- and triorganotin(IV) derivatives of tyrosinylphenylalanine (H₂Tyr-Phe) with general formulae R₂Sn(Tyr-Phe) where R = Me,n-Bu, n-Oct and Ph, and R₃^′Sn(HTyr-Phe) where R^′ = Me and Ph have been synthesized. The bonding and coordination behaviour in these derivatives are discussed on the basis of FT-IR, multinuclear ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopic studies. These investigations suggest that dipeptide in R₂Sn(Tyr-Phe) acts as dianionic tridentate coordinating through −C(O)O⁻, -NH₂ and (-CO)N⁻_peptide groups while in case of R^′₃Sn(HTyr-Phe) the ligand acts as monoanionic bidentate coordinating through -C(O)O⁻ and -NH₂, and the polyhedron around tin in R₂Sn(Tyr-Phe) and R^′₃Sn(HTyr-Phe) is a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal. It is further confirmed by the single crystal X-ray structure of Me₂Sn(Tyr-Phe) · MeOH which shows two methyl groups and peptide nitrogen (N⁻_peptide) in the equatorial positions, while the two axial positions are occupied by the carboxylic oxygen (O⁻_carboxyl) and the amino nitrogen (N_amino) atom from the same ligand molecule. One methanol molecule is also present in the asymmetric unit.     

Synthesis of new water soluble diorganotin(IV) complexes with hydrazones derived from Girard-T reagent as antibacterial and anticancer agents

Three new water-soluble organotin complexes R₂Sn(5-BrSalGT)Cl [R = Ph, Me] and Ph₂Sn(2-OHNaphGT)Cl have been synthesized by the reaction of R₂SnCl₂ (R = Ph or Me) with Schiff bases derived from condensation of Girard-T reagent with 5-bromosalicylaldehyde and 2-naphthaldehyde, (5-BrH₂SalGT)Cl (1) and (2-OHH₂NaphGT)Cl (2). The synthesized compounds have been investigated by elemental analysis, conductometric measurements, IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy. These data show that the deporotonated ligand is coordinated to Sn(IV) via ONO atoms and six-coordinate zwitterionic complexes are formed. The ligands and their complexes were investigated for their in vitro toxicity against Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. The results show remarkable antibacterial activity against the studied bacteria. All complexes exhibit more inhibitory effects than the parent ligand. The anticancer activity of all compounds were also performed on HN5 cell line and (2-OHH₂NaphGT)Cl with concentration of 1 mg mL^?1 was found to show higher anticancer activity than other compounds.     

Crystal Engineering with Oxo‐ and Cyanocarbon Anions: Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Triorganotin(IV) Pentacyanopropenides and Hexacyanoazapentadienides

The first triorganotin(IV) pentacyanopropenides, [R₃Sn(H₂O)₂][C₃(CN)₅] (R = Me ( 2 ), nBu ( 3 ), Ph ( 4 ) were prepared by treatment of Ag[C₃(CN)₅] ( 1 ) with equimolar amounts of R₃SnCl in reagent grade THF. In a similar manner, dark red [R₃Sn(H₂O)₂][N{C(CN)C(CN)₂}₂] ( 6 ) containing the hexacyanoazapentadienyl anion was prepared in 55 % yield. The molecular structure of [Ph₃Sn(H₂O)₂][C₃(CN)₅] ( 4 ) was determined by X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structure consists of separated trigonal‐bipyramidal [Ph₃Sn(H₂O)₂]⁺ cations and nearly planar [C₃(CN)₅]^– anions which are linked through O–H ··· N hydrogen bonds to give a three‐dimensional network.     

An experimental and a DFT study on the synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and reactivity of the adducts of dimethyl- and diphenyltin(IV) dichlorides with γ-pyrones [4H-pyran-4-one (PYR) and 2,6-dimethyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DMP)]: Crystal structure of Ph2SnCl2(PYR)

The Sn(IV) R₂SnCl₂(γ-pyrone)_n [R = Me or Ph; γ-pyrone = 4H-pyran-4-one (PYR) or 2,6-dimethyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DMP); n = 1 or 2] adducts have been synthesized and investigated. The adducts Ph₂SnCl₂(PYR) (1), Me₂SnCl₂(PYR)₂ (2), Ph₂SnCl₂(DMP) (3) and Me₂SnCl₂(PYR)(PNO) (4), (PNO = 4-methylpyridine N-oxide) have been prepared by the addition of the corresponding γ-pyrone to chloroform solution of R₂SnCl₂. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic (IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR and Mössbauer) means. The single-crystal diffraction study of 1 shows the Sn(IV) to be five-coordinate, [Sn-O and Sn-Cl(1), Sn-Cl(2) distances of 2.3190(13) and 2.4312(6), 2.3653(7), respectively], and the Cl-Sn-Cl bond angle to be 91.17°. The reactivity of 2 towards bipy, Ph₃PO, QNO (Q = quinoline) resulted in complete displacement of PYR and formation of already known compounds whereas, the PNO displaced only one equivalent of PYR, causing the preparation of the new mixed complex 4, possibly through a S_N¹ formation mechanism. DFT/B3LYP molecular orbital calculations were carried out for the 1-4 complexes, their precursors, Ph₂SnCl₂, (5) and Me₂SnCl₂, (6) and the ligands, PYR, DMP and PNO in an attempt to explain the structures and reactivity of the complexes. Optimized resulting geometries, vibrational frequencies, and the electron-accepting ability of the complexes and the precursors towards nucleophiles are discussed.     

“Short-bite” ligands in cluster synthesis

The short-bite ligands CH₂(PR ₂)₂ or CH(PR ₂)₃ (R = Me, Ph),RN(PX ₂)₂ (R=H, Me, Et;X = F, OR (R= Me, Et, i-Pr, Ph), Ph),RE(CH₂ ER₂)₂ (E = P, As;R = Me, Ph ), Ph₂ P(2-C₅H₄N) and related species are particularly versatile for the synthesis of di- and polynuclear complexes which frequently possess metal-metal bonds. In addition to homometallic products, these ligands often permit the directed synthesis of heterometallic complexes. Selected aspects of the chemistry of these complexes are also reviewed.     

Synthesis,Structure–Activity Relationship of Some New Triorganotin(IV) Derivatives of Dipeptides as Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Abstract

New triorganotin(IV) derivatives of dipeptides with general formulae, R₃Sn(HL), where R = Me and Ph, and HL is the monoanion of histidinylalanine and histidinylleucine, have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of infrared (IR), multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹¹⁹Sn), and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopic studies. These derivatives exhibit distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry around tin in which dipeptide anion acts as bidentate ligand coordinating through carboxyl oxygen and amino nitrogen. Ph₃Sn(HHis-Ala),

Ph₃Sn(HHis-Leu), and previously reported Ph₂Sn(His-Ala), Me₂Sn(His-Ala), n-Oct₂Sn(His-Ala), Me₂Sn(His-Leu), n-Oct₂Sn(His-Leu), Ph₃Sn(HTyr-Phe), Ph₂Sn(Tyr-Phe), Bu₂Sn-(Tyr-Phe), and n-Oct₂Sn(Tyr-Phe) along with standard drugs, viz. phenyl butazone and indomethacin were screened for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and acute toxicity (LD₅₀). Diorganotin(IV) derivatives are more active than triorganotin(IV) derivatives. Me₂Sn(His-Leu) shows the highest activity.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

Zinn in der Peripherie von Bis(aren)metall‐Komplexen des Vanadiums und Chroms

Metal π Complexes of Benzene Derivatives. 53 [1] Tin in the Periphery of Bis(arene)metal Complexes of Vanadium and Chromium By means of metal‐atom ligand‐vapor cocondensation as well as via wet chemical methods (lithiation and follow‐up reaction) the first organostannyl substituted bis(arene)metal complexes (R₃Sn‐η⁶‐C₆H₅)₂M have been prepared: 15 (R = Me, M = V), 16 (R = Ph, M = V), 13 (R = Me, M = V), 17 (R = Ph, M = Cr). Despite the bulkiness of the Ph₃Sn groups the geometry of the central sandwich unit in 17 deviates only marginally from that of the parent complex (C₆H₆)₂Cr ( 2 ). The triclinic unit cell of 17 (space group: P1; a = 9.414(4), b = 9.877(5), c = 11.012(13) Å; α = 83.51(7), β = 87.95(7), γ = 72.67(4)°) contains one independent molecule. Perturbation of the electronic structure of the bis(arene)metal unit by organostannyl groups appears to be minute because EPR spectra of the M(d⁵) species fail to reveal deviations from axial symmetry. The potentials for reversible oxidation of the Me₃Sn‐substituted complexes 13 and 15 differ insignificantly (anodic shifts ≤ 20 mV) from those of the parent species 1 and 2 ; reductions are irreversible in both cases. More sizeable anodic shifts are observed for the Ph₃Sn‐derivatives 16 and 17 ; here as well, only the redox pairs 0/+ are reversible. The resistance of the neutral complexes to protic media contrasts to ready hydrodestannylation of the complex cations. By way of metal exchange, employing n‐butyl lithium, 13 affords (Li‐η⁶‐C₆H₅)₂Cr strictly 1,1′‐disubstituted and devoid of auxiliary base.     

Synthesis,characterization, and in vitro antimicrobial activities of organotin(IV) complexes of Schiff bases with ONO‐type donor atoms

A new series of diorganotin complexes of the type R₂SnL (L¹: N‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐chlorophenyl)‐ 3‐ethoxysalicylideneimine, R = Me, (Me₂SnL¹), R = n‐Bu, (n‐Bu₂SnL¹), R = Ph, (Ph₂SnL¹), L²: N‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitro‐5‐chlorophenyl)‐3‐ethoxysalicylideneimine, R = Ph, Ph₂SnL², L³: N‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐methoxysalicylideneimine, R = Me, (Me₂SnL³), R = n‐Bu, (n‐Bu₂SnL³), L⁴: N‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐ethoxysalicylideneimine, R = Me, (Me₂SnL⁴), R = n‐Bu, (n‐Bu₂SnL⁴)) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR), ¹H, and ¹³C NMR mass spectroscopic techniques, and electrochemical measurements. Ph₂SnL¹ and Ph₂SnL² were also characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis and were found to show a fivefold C₂NO₂ coordination geometry nearly halfway between a trigonal bipyramidal and distorted square pyramidal arrangement. The C Sn C angles in the complexes were calculated using Lockhart's equations with the ¹J(^117/119Sn‐¹³C) and ²J(^117/119Sn‐¹H) values from the ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra. Biocidal activity tests against several micro‐organisms and some fungi indicate that all the complexes are mildly active against Gram (+) bacteria and the fungi, A. niger and inactive against Gram (−) bacteria. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 21:373–385, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.20628