The autoionization reaction of neutral bis(imino)pyridine and SnX2 led to three compounds [{ArNCPh}2(NC5H3)]SnX+SnX3− (Ar = 2,6-(2,5-tBu2C6H3), X = Cl, Br; Ar = 2,6-(2,6-Me2C6H3), X = Cl) which display, within the same species, cations and anions possessing Sn(ii) centers.