Abstract Thermolysis of hexakis (2, 4, 6-triisopropylphenyl) cyclotristannane 1 generates tetrakis (2, 4, 6-triisopropylphenyl) distannene 3 which can be trapped by various reagents. Addition of phenylacetylene to 3 yields a 1, 2-distannacyclobutene derivative. Reaction of 3 with tellurium and selenium leads to tellura-and selenadistanniranes, 7, 9, with an excess of these chalcogens the 1, 3-dichalcogenadistannetanes, 8, 10, are formed. With elemental ...