Formation of complexes of A18C6-Dns and metal cations (Ca 2+ , Sr 2+ , Ba 2+ and Mg 2+ ) in acetonitrile has been studied by NMR, absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and PM5 semi-empirical methods. A18C6-Dns forms stable complexes with Ca 2+ , Sr 2+ and Ba 2+ cations. The stability constants of various complexes are determined by different methods and their structures are visualised by the PM5 semi-empirical calculations.