1,1'-Dilithioferrocene was reacted with 2 equiv of isopropyl (Ar*) or methyl (Ar') substituted terphenyl tin(II) chloride. Reaction product 1, carrying the bulkier terphenyl substituent Ar*, displays a bis(stannylene) structure in the solid state without formation of a tin-tin bond. Temperature-dependent solution Sn-119 NMR spectroscopy, however, revealed a dynamic interplay between bis(stannylene) (100 degrees C) and cyclic distannene (-80 degrees C). In contrast to 1, the less bulky Ar' substituent results in a cyclic distannene 2. On the basis of temperature-dependent Sn-119 NMR spectroscopy the Sn-Sn bond of compound 2 was preserved up to 100 degrees C. Both compounds were further characterized by solid-state Sn-119 NMR spectroscopy as well as Sn-119 and Fe-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy. 1 reacted as a chelating ligand with nickel and palladium complexes [Ni(cod)(2)] and [Pd(nbe)(3) ] (nbe = norbornene). In the resulting coordination compounds the nonstabilized stannylene acts as a donor as well as an acceptor ligand and shows a dynamic switch from donor to acceptor behavior in the monopalladium complex.