Metal-ion clusters involving alkaline earth metal and perchlorate ions, and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) have been studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Three types of metal-ion clusters, [M(DMF)(n)](2+), [M(ClO4)-(DMF)(n)](+), and [M-2(CIO4)(3)(DMF)(n)](+) (M = Mg, Ca, and Sr) are found. It is proposed on the basis of DFT calculations that the metal ion in the [M-2(CIO4)(3)(DMF)(6)](+) clusters is six-coordinated with three mu-CIO4- ions and three DMF molecules.