The chloridomolybdenum(iii) cluster in [BMIm]4[AgMo10Cl35] with infinite chains of Ag+-linked [Mo10Cl35]5− wheels

Abstract

[BMIm]₄[AgMo₁₀Cl₃₅] is prepared by reaction of MoCl₅ and elemental silver in the ionic liquid [BMIm][AlCl₄] ([BMIm⁺]: 1-butyl-4-methylimidazolium). Surprisingly, elemental silver is oxidized under these conditions. The title compound contains a new wheel-shaped [Mo₁₀Cl₃₅]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 [Mo₁₀Cl₃₅]⁵⁻ wheels exhibit a maximum opening of 558 pm in diameter. They are interlinked via Ag⁺ to form infinite ¹_∞[AgMo₁₀Cl₃₅]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⁺ linkage to infinite chains are a new aspect of halogenido metalates and low-valence molybdenum compounds.