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A novel electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometric approach for the structure elucidation of ionic organotin(IV) compounds or complexes with weakly bonded ligands as for example monodentate carboxylates or sulfonates is proposed using both positive-ion and negative-ion ESI tandem mass spectra. The ionization mechanism of organotin(IV) compounds involves the cleavage of the most labile bond with an ionic character yielding two complementary ions, [[Cat].sup.+] and [[An].sup.-] . Positively charged species containing tin atom, [[Cat].sup.+], are analyzed in the positive-ion mode and negatively charged species without the tin atom, [[An].sup.-], in the negative-ion mode. Fragmentation patterns of [[[C.sub.24][H.sub.29][N.sub.2]Sn].sup.+], [[[C.sub.21][H.sub.22NSn].sup.+], and [[[C.sub.17][H.sub.30]NSn].sup.+] ions are proposed based on the detailed interpretation of [MS.sup.n] spectra, which is simplified by an easy recognition of characteristic tin isotopic clusters in particular fragment ions. Proposed fragmentation mechanisms are supported by comparison with [MS.sup.n] spectra of deuterium-labeled analogues. The applicability of this method is illustrated on two sets of organotin(IV) compounds, including seven [2,6-bis(dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl]diphenyltin(IV) derivatives with small inorganic counteranions X (Br, N[O.sub.3], SCN, B[F.sub.4], SeCN, CN, P[F.sub.6]), six organotin(IV) complexes containing two C,N-chelating ligands with azo dyes, and the identification of unknown hydrolysis products.