The chloridomolybdenum(iii) cluster in [BMIm] sub(4)[AgMo sub(10)Cl sub(35)] with infinite chains of Ag super(+)-linked [Mo sub(10)Cl sub(35)] super(5-) wheels

[BMIm] sub(4)[AgMo sub(10)Cl sub(35)] is prepared by reaction of MoCl sub(5) and elemental silver in the ionic liquid [BMIm][AlCl sub(4)] ([BMIm super(+)]: 1-butyl-4-methylimidazolium). Surprisingly, elemental silver is oxidized under these conditions. The title compound contains a new wheel-shaped [Mo sub(10)Cl sub(35)] super(5-) chlorido molybdenum(iii) species with five pairs of Mo-Mo bonds. The Mo-Mo distances are found to be 263 pm on average. The [Mo sub(10)Cl sub(35)] super(5-) wheels exhibit a maximum opening of 558 pm in diameter. They are interlinked viaAg super(+) to form infinite super(1) sub( infinity )[AgMo sub(10)Cl sub(35)] super(4-) chains. The title compound is characterized by single crystal structure analysis, EDX, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The wheel-type structure and Ag super(+) linkage to infinite chains are a new aspect of halogenido metalates and low-valence molybdenum compounds.