Bismuth species in the coordination sphere of transition metals: synthesis, bonding, coordination chemistry, and reactivity of molecular complexes

Abstract

This contribution is focused on bismuth species in the coordination sphere of transition metals. In molecular transition metal complexes, three types of Bi–M bonding are considered, namely dative Bi→M interactions (with Bi acting as a donor), dative Bi←M interactions (with Bi acting as an acceptor) and covalent Bi–M interactions (M = transition metal). Synthetic routes to all three classes of compounds are outlined, the Bi–M bonding situation is discussed, trends in the geometric parameters and in the coordination chemistry of the compounds are addressed, and common spectroscopic properties are summarized. As an important part of this contribution, the reactivity of bismuth species in the coordination sphere of transition metal complexes in stoichiometric and catalytic reactions is highlighted.