Organobismuth chemistry

Methylbismuth dichloride adopts a polymeric structure.

Triorganobismuth(III) compounds are monomeric with pyramidal structures reminiscent of organophosphorus(III) chemistry. The halides however adopt hypervalent structures. This trend is illustrated by the sheet-like structure adopted by methylbismuth dichloride.[5]

Organobismuth heterocycles are based on Bi(III). The cyclic compound bismole, a structural analog of pyrrole, has not been isolated, but substituted bismoles are known.[6] Bismabenzene has been detected in the laboratory.[7]

Organobismuth(III) compounds are often prepared from BiCl₃ by substitution with the corresponding carbon nucleophiles, generally of the form of a Grignard reagent or alkyl/aryl lithium species:

BiCl₃ + 3 RMgX → R₃Bi + 3 MgXCl

Triaryl bismuth(III) compounds are typically air-stable crystalline solids. The substituents on the triarylbismuth center can be modified.[8]

Triarylbismuth compounds have very limited use in organic synthesis.[9] They react with acylchlorides under Pd(0) catalysis to form a variety of phenyl ketones.[10] Tricyclopropylbismuth(III) reagents react with aryl halides and triflates under Pd(0) catalysis in a similar fashion to afford a variety of aryl and heteroaryl cyclopropanes.[11]

Examples of Bi(III) transferring carbon to a new metal center.

Triphenylbismuth undergoes redistribution with its trihalide to give the mixed derivatives such as diphenylbismuth chloride (Ph₂BiCl).[12] Such reactions proceed more readily than for the lighter congeners.

Triaryl bismuth(III) compounds may also be employed in C-N bond forming transformations with an appropriate metal co-catalyst. For instance, Barton and coworkers demonstrated that amines could be N-arylated with a bismuth(III) reagent in the presence of copper(II) salt.[13]

Organobismuth(V) compounds of the type Ar₅Bi adopt square pyramidal structures. The pentaphenyl compound is deeply colored and thermochromic, possibly because of an equilibrium between square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal structures.[14]

Organobismuth(V) complexes may be accessed directly from organobismuth(III) through oxidative addition to a halogen then displacement of the newly formed bismuth-halogen bond for a bismuth-carbon bond with an alkyl or aryl lithium or Grignard reagent.

Bi(V) compounds can be accessed through Bi(III) compounds for example:

Me₃Bi + SO₂Cl₂ → Me₃BiCl₂ + SO₂

Me₃BiCl₂ + 2 MeLi → Me₅Bi + 2 LiCl

Bi(V) easily forms an onium ion for example by protonation with p-toluenesulfonic acid:[15]

Ph₅Bi + HO₃SAr → Ph₄Bi⁺[O₃SAr⁻]

Pentaphenylbismuth forms an ate complex upon treatment with phenyl lithium:[16]

Ph₅Bi + PhLi → Li⁺[Ph₆Bi⁻]

The thermal stability of R₅M compounds decrease in the order As > Sb > Bi. The aryl compounds are more stable than alkyl compounds. Me₅Bi decomposes explosively at 20 °C.

Compared to the lighter congeners, Bi(V) compounds are oxidizing. The compounds Ph₃Bi(OOtBu)₂, Ph₃BiCO₃ and (Ph₃BiCl)₂O have been investigated for the oxidation of oximes, thiols, phenols, and phosphines.[17] Compounds such as Ph₅Bi and Ph₃BiCl₂ have been used in the arylation of arene compounds and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds:[18]

The above transformation proceeds through in an asynchronous concerted fashion from the O-bound organobismuth(V) reagent after loss of an aryl group. A triarylbismuth(III) complex forms concomitantly.[19] Regioselectivity of this transformation is guided by the directing ability of adjacent lewis basic functionalities. It is important to note that in the above arylation, a full equivalent of the pentavalent bismuth compound is required for the arylation reaction therefore leaving four ligands on bismuth inactive for further arylations. Catalytic manifolds of this chemistry are challenging due in part to the reoxidation of Bi(III) to Bi(V). For more examples of bismuth mediated arylations, see the cited review.[20]