Six new diorganotin(IV) derivatives of N'-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)formohydrazide (H(2)L) with general formula R(2)SnL, where R = Ph (1), Me (2), Bu (3), Oct (4), t-Bu (5), Et (6), and L = [OC(6)H(4)CHNNCHO] have been synthesized and characterized by different analytical techniques. Crystal structure of Me(2)SnL (2) authenticated distorted square-pyramidal geometry around the Sn atom. The CV and UV-Vis spectroscopic data indicated intercalation of complexes into DNA with binding affinity varying in the sequence: 3 (1.69 x 10(4) M(-1)) > 1 (1.10 x 10(4) M(-1)) > 2 (9.61 x 10(3) M(-1)). Some of these compounds were found to be good antibacterial, antifungal and leishmanicidal agents.