Abstract The preparation and properties of five open chain tetradentate ligands with SbNNSb, SbSSSb and SbOOSb donor sequences, specifically R 2 Sb (CH 2) 3 N-(Me)(CH 2) 2 N (Me)(CH 2) 3 SbR 2, R 2 Sb (CH 2) 3 S (CH 2) 2 S (CH 2) 3 SbR 2 (R= Me, Ph) and Me 2 Sb (CH 2) 2 O (CH 2) 2 O (CH 2) 2 SbMe 2 are described.