Six organotin(IV) carboxylates of the type R2SnL2 [R=CH3 (1), n-C4H9 (2), n-C8H17 (3)] and R3SnL [R=CH3 (4), n-C4H9 (5), C6H5 (6), where L=2-(4-ethoxybenzylidene) butanoic acid, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and NMR ((1)H, (13)C). The complex (1) was also analyzed by single crystal X-ray analysis. The complexes were screened for antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anti-tumor activities. The results showed significant activity in each area of the activity with few exceptions. DNA interactions studies of ligand HL and representative complex 2 were investigated by UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The results showed that both ligand HL and complex 2 interact with SS-DNA via intercalation as well as minor groove binding.