Passage of C1to C5haloalkanes through SnCl2–KCl melts results in halide exchange reactions, alkene formation, and rearrangement (including cyclization) reactions of the organic molecules. Relative reactivities, product distributions and melt composition effects are consistent with a carbonium ion mechanism in which the melt functions as a halide ion acceptor. Some control of product distribution by choice of Lewis acid character of the melt seems possible.