Charge separation by ditopic complexation in the solid state: molecular structure of {Ph2(I)SnCH2Sn(Ph)(I)CH2-[16]-crown-5}.NaF.CH3OH.

An intramolecular O-H-F hydrogen bridge involving a methanol molecule provides communication between the strongly separated sodium cation and fluoride anion in sodium fluoride that is, for the first time and despite its high lattice energy, ditopically complexed by an organotin-substituted crown ether.