Reaction of SnCI, (1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxa-l6-azacyclooctadecane, HL) provides the white solid SnCI,L 1 with elimination of HCI. Analytical and spectroscopic characterisation of 1 points to a structure in which a SnCI, unit is bonded to the deprotonated nitrogen atom and the two adjacent oxygen atoms of the azacrown. Partial hydrolysis of 1 during an attempted recrystallisation in acetonitrile, gave colourless crystals of the ionic compound [ H,L],[SnCI,( H,O)],~H,O~MeCN 2 the structure of which was determined by X-ray diffraction: monoclinic, space group C2/m, a = 40.1 5(2), b = 12.231 (6), c = 10.01 9(7) A, p = 104.05(5)", 2 = 4. Two independent azacrown molecules are both protonated.Molecule 1 has the solvate water molecule located centrally over the ring cavity, held by three strong 0-H,,,,, Oring 2. 793 and Ow,,,, H-N,,,, 2.690 A hydrogen bonds; molecule 2 behaves as a second-sphere ligand to two separate six-co-ordinate [SnCI,( H,O)] -anions positioned on opposite sides of the ring. The co-ordinated H,O molecules are located over the centre of the azacrown ligand and are involved in hydrogen bonding to the nitrogen and oxygen atoms of the ring.