A new triorganotin monomer, tributyltin 3-(p-styryl)-propionate (TBTSP), has been synthesized and submitted to radical homo-and copolymerization with styrene thus affording the corresponding polymeric derivatives having variable content of triorganotin moieties. The low molecular weight compounds, tributyltin 3-(p-ethylphenyl)-propionate and tributyltin 3-(p-isopropylphenyl)-propionate; have also been prepared as structural models of the organotin repeating co-units of the polymers. Characterizations in solution and solid state by IR, NMR and thermal techniques of all the polymers and low molecular weight compounds synthesized allow to conclude that the tin atoms are tetra-and/or penta-coordinate depending on structure, physical state and tin content of the polymers. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.