A terminal tin amide and a terminal tin anilide complex, (BDI)SnN(iPr(2)) and (BDI)SnN(H)Ar (Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)), respectively, have been synthesized utilizing the bulky beta-diketiminate ligand, [{N(2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3))C(Me)}(2)CH] , or BDI, to stabilize the low coordinate divalent tin metal center. Only (BDI) SnN(iPr2) reacts with phenylacetylene to yield (BDI)SnCCPh, but both species react with methyl triflate to give (BDI)SnOTf and carbon dioxide, resulting in the formation of (BDI)SnOC(O)N(iPr(2)) and (BDI)SnOC(O)N(H) Ar. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.