The uses and potential utility of tin/organotin dithiocarbamate, − S 2 CNR 2 , compounds are reviewed. Various derivatives exhibit exciting potential as anti-cancer agents, anti-microbial agents and insecticides, e.g. against mosquito larvae. Tin dithiocarbamates have also proven useful as precursors for tin sulfide nanoparticles. There is a wealth of structural data available for such compounds and with the exception of the diorganotin bis(dithiocarbamate) compounds, R 2 Sn(S 2 CNR 2 ) 2 , compounds for which different structural motifs are evident, there is a certain degree of homogeneity in the molecular structures for each class of compound unless there are additional coordination sites on the R and/or R groups. Owing to the strong coordination potential of the dithiocarbamate ligand for tin, supramolecular aggregates involving secondary Sn· · ·S interactions are the exception rather than the norm.