Bis(tetra-n-butylammonium) and bis(tetraphenylphosphonium) salts of tris(2-oxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolato)stannate(IV), both at 120 K.

The title compounds, (C16H36N)2[Sn(C3OS4)3], (I), and (C24H20P)2[Sn(C3OS4)3], (II), are examples of complex salts of the general form [Q]2[Sn(dmio)3], where Q is nBu4N+ or Ph4P+ and dmio is the 2-oxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolate dianion. Features of both structures are the slightly distorted octahedral coordination of tin in the propeller-shaped dianions and the absence of any significant inter-anion contacts. The structure of (I) is particularly notable because all of the dianions in the sample crystal have the same propeller configuration, which is very unusual in this type of structure.