As a consequence of the rapid expansion of the uses and applications of the organotin compounds, the concern about their environmental and health effects is increasing. The main subject of this overview is the current understanding of the mammalian toxicity of the organotin compounds. Four different types of target organ toxicity, namely neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and cutaneous toxicity, are discussed in more detail. The effects of the organotin compounds on the mitochondfial and cellular level are summarized and discussed in relation to the mode of action of these compounds on the central nervous system, the liver and bile duct, the immune system, and the skin. © 1987 Academic Press, Inc.
ORGANOTIN COMPOUNDS: APPLICATIONS AND TOXICITY
Organotin CompoundsTin can be present as an element in a wide variety of both inorganic and organometallic compounds. Organometallic tin compounds or organotins are characterized by the presence of at least one covalent carbon-tin bond. Although tin may exist either in the Sn 2+ or in the Sn 4+ oxidation state, almost all organotins have a tetravalent structure. Depending on the number of organic moieties, the organotin compounds are classified as mono-, di-, tri-, and tetraorganotins. In compounds of industrial importance, methyl, butyl, octyl, and phenyl groups form the organic substituents, while the anion is usually chloride, fluoride, oxide, hydroxide, carboxylate, or thiolate. All alkyltin compounds refered to in this article contain unbranched saturated hydrocarbon side chains (n-alkyltins).