The 1 1 9 Sn Mossbauer parameters for some chalcogen-containing Zintl phases of composition M 4 SnX 4 (M=Na, K; X=S, Se, Te), Na 2 SnSe 3 , M 3 SnTe 3 (M=K, Rb, Cs), Cs 4 Sn 2 Te 7 and M 2 SnTe 5 (M=K, Rb) are reported. All the compounds contain tetrahedrally coordinated tin and the chemical isomer shift data show the tin to be involved in covalent bonding with the chalcogen atoms. The dependence of the 1 1 9 Sn Mossbauer parameters on the local coordination of tin, the extent of polymerisation of the anionic sub units, the transfer of electrons from the alkali metal to the anionic units, and the electronegativity of the chalcogen atoms are discussed.