Sterically crowded aryl bismuth compounds: synthesis and characterization of bisbismuth chloride and trisbismuth

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(91)80081-T

The reactions of BiCl3 with 2,4,6-tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl lithium (LiR_f) in ether solution in 1:2 and 1:3 ratios have led to the isolation of Bi(R_f)2Cl (I) and Bi(R_f)3 (II).The hexane-soluble compounds have been spectroscopically and structurally characterized.I: monoclinic space group P2₁/c, a = 8.816(2), b = 30.459(6), c = 8.817(2) Angstroem, β = 109.58(2) deg, Z = 4, V = 2230.7(8) Angstroem³; II: monoclinic space group P2₁/c, a = 11.769(2), b = 17.029(3), c = 16.213(3) Angstroem, β = 102.74(3) deg, Z = 4, V = 3169.3(10) Angstroem³.Both compounds are monomeric in the solid state.Compound II is unstable in solution even under inert atmosphere producing R_fH.In the solid state the compound is stable in inert atmosphere but decomposes slowly upon exposure to air producing R_fOH and (R_f)2O.In the presence of BiCl3, II undergoes exchange to produce I and another complex which is probably Bi(R_f)Cl2.