[Bi3GaS5](2)[Ga3Cl10](2)[GaCl4](2)center dot S-8 containing heterocubane-type [Bi3GaS5](2+), star-shaped [Ga3Cl10](-), monomeric [GaCl4](-) and crown-like S-8

By reaction of elemental bismuth, sulfur, bismuth(III) chloride and gallium(III) chloride in the ionic liquid (BMIm)Cl (BMIm: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium), [Bi3GaS5](2)[Ga3Cl10](2)[GaCl4](2)center dot 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 [Bi3GaS5](2+) cations, trimeric star-shaped [Ga3Cl10](-) anions with three (GaCl4) tetrahedra sharing a single central chlorine atom, monomeric [GaCl4](-) tetrahedra and neutral, crown-shaped S-8-rings. Here, the heterocubane [Bi3GaS5](2+) as well as the star-shaped [Ga3Cl10](-) are observed as building units for the first time. [Bi3GaS5]2[Ga3Cl10](2)[GaCl4](2)center dot S-8 is further characterized by X-ray powder diffraction as well as by thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis.