[Bi3GaS5]2[Ga3Cl10]2[GaCl4]2·S8 containing heterocubane-type [Bi3GaS5]2+, star-shaped [Ga3Cl10]-, monomeric [GaCl4]- and crown-like S8.

By reaction of elemental bismuth, sulfur, bismuth(III) chloride and gallium(III) chloride in the ionic liquid (BMIm)Cl (BMIm: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium), [Bi(3)GaS(5)](2)[Ga(3)Cl(10)](2)[GaCl(4)](2)·S(8) is obtained as red transparent crystals. According to X-ray structure analysis based on single crystals, the title compound crystallizes with triclinic lattice symmetry and is composed of heterocubane-type [Bi(3)GaS(5)](2+) cations, trimeric star-shaped [Ga(3)Cl(10)](-) anions with three (GaCl(4)) tetrahedra sharing a single central chlorine atom, monomeric [GaCl(4)](-) tetrahedra and neutral, crown-shaped S(8)-rings. Here, the heterocubane [Bi(3)GaS(5)](2+) as well as the star-shaped [Ga(3)Cl(10)](-) are observed as building units for the first time. [Bi(3)GaS(5)](2)[Ga(3)Cl(10)](2)[GaCl(4)](2)·S(8) is further characterized by X-ray powder diffraction as well as by thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis.