Three diorganotin(IV) chelates with a tetradentate Schiff base, H2Vanophen, [FLVanophen = N,] of the type R2Sn(Vanophen) (R = Ph: 1; R = rt-Bu: 2; R = Me: 3) have been synthesized by the reaction of R2SnCl2 (R = Ph, n-Bu, Me) and FLVanophen in the presence of triethylamine in benzene. The complexes have been characterised by IR and NMR spectroscopy and by elemental analysis. The <$(' l9Sn) values for the complexes 1 -3 are -543.0, -414.2 and -398.2 ppm respectively, indicating hexacoordinated Sn centers. These have been ascertained by X-ray crystal structure determinations of 1 and 3. The distances between tin and the two axial carbon atoms in each complex differ not significantly [2.17(1) Ä in 1, and 2.100(3) and 2.115(3) A in 3). The C-Sn-C angles for 1 and 3 are 165.9(4)° and 159.96(9)°, respectively. The solution NMR spectra ('H , l3C, 1|ySn) show clearly that the solid state structures are retained in solution.