The preparation, crystal structures, and optical and magnetic properties of two new charge-transfer salts kappa-(EDDH-TTP)(3)[Cr(phen)(NCS)(4)].2CH(2)Cl(2) (1) and kappa(21)-(BDH-TTP)(5)[Cr(phen)(NCS)(4)](2).2CH(2)Cl(2) (2), where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, EDDH-TTP = 2-(4,5-ethylenedithio-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-5-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene, and BDH-TTP = 2,5-bis(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene, are reported. Crystal data: (1) monoclinic P2(1)/a, a = 25.0752(5) Angstrom, b 10.6732(3) Angstrom, c = 28.1601(6) Angstrom, beta = 95.195(2)degrees, Z = 4, R = 0.0585 for 6741 independent reflections with I > 3sigma(I); (2) monoclinic P2(1)/a, a = 23.8275(4) Angstrom, b = 9.1015 (2) Angstrom, c = 27.0420(1) Angstrom, beta = 99.9297(8)degrees, Z = 4, R = 0.0530 for 4565 independent reflections with I > 2sigma(I). The crystal structures for both compounds consist of alternating organic and inorganic layers. The organic layer in compound 1 is characterized as kappa-type, while the organic layer in 2 resembles the kappa-type but it contains orthogonal dimers and monomers, and it is therefore called kappa(21). Compound 1 shows metallic behavior down to low temperature. Salt 2 shows semiconductive behavior, which is explained as the result of either charge ordering owing to the kappa(21)-type structure or Peierls distortion due to the one-dimensional electronic nature. However, weak metallic behavior could be observed at 10 kbar above ca. 150 K and at 15 kbar above 170 K. The magnetic susceptibilities for both compounds show Curie-Weiss behavior, showing that the exchange interactions between the magnetic anions are weak. Polarized reflectance spectra of single crystals were measured over the spectral range from 650 to 7000 cm(-1). Moreover, absorption and diffusion reflectance spectra of powdered crystals dispersed in KBr (from 400 to 7000 cm(-1)) were recorded. Vibrational and electronic features are discussed.