C21H25N2+.CIO4 -(orange crystals), Mr = 404.9, orthorhombic; P212121, a = 7.810(2), b = 15.007(3), c = 18.326 (3)/~, V = 2147.8 (7)/~3. Graphitemonochromated Mo Kc~ source at room temperature; A = 0.71069A,, /z = 0.22 mm -l, Z = 4; F(000) = 856, Dx = 1.25 g cm -3, R = 0.057 for 1392 independent data. As for the unsubstituted pentamethinium dyes, the chain lies in an all-trans planar configuration. Molecular modelling calculations reproduce the Xray structure with good accuracy, even in the case of more crowded pentadienylium cations, i.e. 1,5-bis(dimethylamino)-1,3,5-triphenylpentadienylium perchlorate.