The K-and Na-synthetic analogues of the fumarolic mineral ilinskite have been synthesized by the chemical vapor transport (CVT) reactions method. The A-[Cu 5 O 2 ](SeO 3 ) 2 Cl 3 (A + = K + , Na + ) compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnma: a = 18.1691(6) Å, b = 6.4483(2) Å, c = 10.5684(4) Å, V = 1238.19(7) Å 3 , R 1 = 0.018 for 1957 unique reflections with F > 4σ F for K[Cu 5 O 2 ](SeO 3 ) 2 Cl 3 (KI), and a = 17.7489(18) Å, b = 6.4412(6) Å, c = 10.4880(12) Å, V = 1199.0(2) Å 3 , R 1 = 0.049 for 1300 unique reflections with F > 4σ F for Na[Cu 5 O 2 ](SeO 3 ) 2 Cl 3 (NaI). The crystal structures of KI and NaI are based upon the [O 2 Cu 5 ] 6+ sheets consisting of corner-sharing (OCu 4 ) 6+ tetrahedra. The Na-for-K substitution results in the significant expansion of the interlayer space and changes in local coordination of some of the Cu 2+ cations. The A + cation coordination changes from fivefold (for Na + ) to ninefold (for K + ). The CVT reactions method provides a unique opportunity to model physicochemical conditions existing in fumarolic environments and may be used not only to model exhalative processes, but also to predict possible mineral phases that may form in fumaroles. In particular, the K analogue of ilinskite is not known in nature, whereas it may well form from volcanic gases in a K-rich local geochemical environment.