Reactions of (Cl3SnRH)-H-1 with Na2E (E = Se, Te; R-1 = C2H4COO) in liquid ammonia afforded the salts of an anionic defect heterocubane, [RSn)(3)Se-4](-) (R = R-1 and (RH)-H-1) or an (1)(infinity)[((RSn)-Sn-1)(2)Te-3(2-)] anionic polymer, respectively. Although a reaction using a 1:1.5 ratio of (Cl3SnRH)-H-1:Na2S center dot 9H(2)O in acetone/water produced a compound containing [(RSn)-Sn-1)(3)S-4](2-), a 1:2 ratio leads to the formation of (1)(infinity)[((RSn)-Sn-1)(2)S-3(2-)], isostructural to the homologous Te species.