The solid state structure of the [(CH(3)CN)(2)I](+) cation in [(CH(3)CN)(2)I][AsF(6)] was determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The highly reactive cation was prepared by reaction of [I(3)][AsF(6)] with CH(3)CN in liquid SO(2). In the solid state, the CNI backbone consisting of seven atoms is linear and shows a dicoordinate iodine center. The ability of [I(3)][AsF(6)] to act as a source of "[I](+)" to CH(3)CN and N(2)O is compared, and the computed structures of the [CH(3)CNI](+), [(CH(3)CN)(2)I](+), [IN(2)O](+) and [ION(2)](+) cations are discussed.