Résumé : The synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic properties in vitro of tri-n-butyltin 1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole-3-acetate (1), tri-phenyltin 1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole-3-acetate (2), tetra-n-butyltin[bis-1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole-3-acetato]distannoxane (3) and di-n-butyltin bis-1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole-3-acetate (4) are described. These compounds have been characterized by 1H, 13C and 119Sn NMR spectroscopy in solution and 119Sn NMR in the solid state, infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction for compound 1. The growth inhibition effects of compounds 1–4 against the lung adenocarcinoma cell line SK-LU-1 as well as the cervical cancer cell line HeLa were determined. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit cytotoxic activity, whereas compounds 3 and 4 are inactive. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.