Synthesis and structural studies of the simplest bismuth(iii) oxo-salicylate complex: [Bi4(μ3-O)2(HO-2-C6H4CO2)8]·2Solv (Solv = MeCN or MeNO2)

Abstract

Reaction of BiPh₃ with salicylic acid (HO-2-C₆H₄CO₂H, H₂Sal) at room temperature in wet acetonitrile or nitromethane leads to the facile formation of an oxo cluster compound with formula [Bi₄(μ₃-O)₂(HSal)₈] solvated by either MeCN and MeNO₂ (1·2MeCN or 1·2MeNO₂). This simple procedure affords a convenient, high yield (>80%) synthesis of a single bismuth oxo cluster. Both adducts exhibit a nearly planar Bi₄(μ₃-O)₂ core. The solvent ligands are situated in the same coordination sites in both but at long Bi–N and Bi–O distances. The ease of preparation as a pure compound makes this an ideal starting material for study of bismuth oxo-salicylate chemistry.