Correlation of molecular total surface area with organotin toxicity for biological and physicochemical applications

There exists a high correlation between molecular total surface area (TSA) values and diorganotin toxicity towards several distinct types of organisms. This correlation was found for N2a neuroblastoma cells, 3T3 fibroblasts, Daphnia magna Rhithropanopeus harrisii and Ankistrodesmus falcatus. In the case of Rhithropanopeus harrisii, a high correlation was also found between TSA and toxicity for triorganotins as well. This study suggests that the relationship between TSA and toxicity is a function of the hydrophobicity of the organotin compounds rather than electronic or steric effects.