Surface active organotin compounds are prepared by the reaction of organotin chlorides with NaSCH 2CH 2Si(OC 2H 5) 3, by hydrostannylation of trimethoxyvinylsilane with dibutyltin dihydride or dibutyltin chlorohydride, or by the reaction of triphenyltin lithium with ClCH 2CH 2CH 2Si(OCH 3) 3 or triethoxyvinylsilane. Another method is the reaction of SnCl 2 with acrylic acid and HCl and subsequent reaction with the organic group and also copolymerization of styryltin compounds with triethoxyvinylsilane.