Based on the method of bridging coordinated precursor, pure and Cu, Rh doped tin oxide have been synthesized in order to investigate the influence of metal doping and multi-metal doping on the microstructure and optical properties of the host material. We attest to the formation of a chain-like precursor by FTIR analysis. All the studied systems were characterized by XRD, TEM/HRTEM and UV-VIS. Although Cu doping has few effects on the microstructure, it improves the optical properties of the host material. However Rh doping can apparently affect both the microstructure and the optical property. In the co-doped system, Cu doping reduces the effectiveness of Rh doping greatly. (c) 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.