Bi5(dpd)6 within CH3CN](ClO4)3.3CH3CN: a supramolecular, tetrahedral pentabismuth cluster derived from a nonabismuth oxo/hydroxide

The novel tetrahedral [Bi(5)(dpd)(6) within CH(3)CN](ClO(4))(3).3CH(3)CN (dpd = di-2-pyridyl-gem-diolate) has been synthesized from [Bi(9)(mu(3)-O)(8)(mu(3)-OH)(6)](ClO(4))(5) and di-2-pyridyl ketone. The Bi(5) complex incorporates CH(3)CN via C-HO hydrogen bonding.     

Bismuth coordination chemistry with allyl, alkoxide, aryloxide, and tetraphenylborate ligands and the {[2,6-(Me2NCH2)2C6H3]2Bi}+ cation

A series of bis(aryl) bismuth compounds containing (N,C,N)-pincer ligands, [2,6-(Me(2)NCH(2))(2)C(6)H(3)](-) (Ar'), have been synthesized and structurally characterized to compare the coordination chemistry of Bi(3+) with similarly sized lanthanide ions, Ln(3+). Treatment of Ar'(2)BiCl, 1, with ClMg(CH(2)CH═CH(2)) affords the allyl complex Ar'(2)Bi(η(1)-CH(2)CH═CH(2)), 2, in which only one allyl carbon atom coordinates to bismuth. Complex 1 reacts with KO(t)Bu and KOC(6)H(3)Me(2)-2,6 to yield the alkoxide Ar'(2)Bi(O(t)Bu), 3, and aryloxide Ar'(2)Bi(OC(6)H(3)Me(2)-2,6), 4, respectively, but the analogous reaction with the larger KOC(6)H(3)(t)Bu(2)-2,6 forms [Ar'(2)Bi][OC(6)H(3)(t)Bu(2)-2,6], 6, in which the aryloxide ligand acts as an outer sphere anion. Chloride is removed from 1 by NaBPh(4) to form [Ar'(2)Bi][BPh(4)], 5, which crystallizes from THF in an unsolvated form with tetraphenylborate as an outer sphere counteranion.     

Synthesis and characterization of the first azastibatranes and azabismatranes

Syntheses of title compounds, viz. N(CH2CH2NR)3E (1, E = Sb, R = Me; 4, E = Bi, R = Me; 6, E = Sb, R = SiMe3; 8, E = Bi, R = SiMe3), by the reaction of E(NAlk2)3 (3, E = Sb, Alk = Et; 5, E = Bi, Alk = Me) with N(CH2CH2NMeH)3 (2) or N(CH2CH2NSiMe3H)3 (7) are reported. The reactions of SbCl3 with N[CH2CH2N(Me)Li]3 or N[CH2CH2N(SiMe3)Li]3 and BiCl3 with N[CH2CH2N(SiMe3)Li]3 resulted in compounds 1, 6, and 8, respectively. Composition and structures of all novel compounds were established by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The X-ray structural study of 8 clearly indicated the presence of transannular interaction BiNdat in this compound, while 6 possesses a long Sb...Ndat distance. The structural data obtained from geometry optimizations on 6 and 8 reproduce experimental trends, i.e., a decrease in the E-Ndat distance from Sb to Bi. The values of electron density in E-Ndat critical point and the Laplacian of charge density for 8 indicate that a closed-shell interaction exists between the metal atom and Ndat atom.     

Heterobimetallic bismuth-transition metal salicylate complexes as molecular precursors for ferroelectric materials. Synthesis and structure of Bi(2)M(2)(sal)(4)(Hsal)(4)(OR) (4) (M = Nb,Ta; R = CH(2)CH(3), CH(CH(3))(2)), Bi(2)Ti(3)(sal)(8)(Hsal)(2), and Bi(2)Ti(4)(O(i)Pr)(sal)(10)(Hsal) (sal = O(2)CC(6)H(4)-2-O; Hsal = O(2)CC(6)H(4)-2-OH)

The reactions between triphenylbismuth, salicylic acid, and the metal alkoxides M(OCH(2)CH(3))(5) (M = Nb, Ta) or Ti[OCH(CH(3))(2)](4) have been investigated under different reaction conditions and in different stoichiometries. Six novel heterobimetallic bismuth alkoxy-carboxylate complexes have been synthesized in good yield as crystalline solids. These include Bi(2)M(2)(sal)(4)(Hsal)(4)(OR)(4) (M = Nb, Ta; R = CH(2)CH(3), CH(CH(3))(2)), Bi(2)Ti(3)(sal)(8)(Hsal)(2), and Bi(2)Ti(4)(O(i)Pr)(sal)(10)(Hsal) (sal = O(2)CC(6)H(4)-2-O; Hsal = O(2)CC(6)H(4)-2-OH). The complexes have been characterized spectroscopically and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds of the group V transition metals contain metal ratios appropriate for precursors of ferroelectric materials. The molecules exhibit excellent solubility in common organic solvents and good stability against unwanted hydrolysis. The nature of the thermal decomposition of the complexes has been explored by thermogravimetric analysis and powder X-ray diffraction. We have shown that the complexes are converted to the corresponding oxide by heating in an oxygen atmosphere at 500 degrees C. The mass loss of the complexes, as indicated by thermogravimetric analysis, and the resulting unit cell parameters of the oxides are consistent with the formation of the desired heterobimetallic oxide. The complexes decomposed to form the bismuth-rich phases Bi(4)Ti(3)O(12) and Bi(5)Nb(3)O(15) as well as the expected oxides BiMO(4) (M = Nb, Ta) and Bi(2)Ti(4)O(11).     

Synthesis and structure of a bismuth(III)/chromium(VI) oxo cluster containing a Bi4Cr4O12 core

Bismuth(III) compounds containing the Kl?ui's oxygen tripodal ligand [CpCo{P(O)(OEt)(2)}(3)](-) (L(OEt)(-)) have been synthesized, and their interactions with dichromate in aqueous media were studied. The treatment of Bi(5)O(OH)(9)(NO(3))(4) with NaL(OEt) in water afforded [L(OEt)Bi(NO(3))(2)](2) (1), whereas that of BiCl(3) with NaL(OEt) in CH(2)Cl(2) yielded L(OEt)BiCl(2) (2). Chloride abstraction of 2 with AgX afforded [L(OEt)BiX(2)](2) [X(-) = triflate (OTf(-)) (3), tosylate (OTs(-)) (4)]. In aqueous solutions at pH > 4, 4 underwent ligand redistribution to give the bis(tripod) complex [(L(OEt))(2)Bi(H(2)O)][OTs] (5). The treatment of 4 with Na(2)Cr(2)O(7) in acetone/water afforded the Bi(III)/Cr(VI) oxo cluster [(L(OEt))(4)Bi(4)(μ(3)-CrO(4))(2)(μ(3)-Cr(2)O(7))(2)] (6) containing a unique Bi(4)Cr(4)O(12) oxometallic core. Compound 6 oxidized benzyl alcohol to give ca. 6 equiv of benzaldehyde. The reaction between 2 and CrO(3) yielded [L(OEt)Bi(OCrO(2)Cl)](2)(μ-Cl)(2) (7). The crystal structures of complexes 4-7 have been determined.     

Synthesis and Structure of Triphenylbismuth Dicarboxylates Ph3Bi[OC(O)R]2 (R = CH2C6H4F-3, C6H3F2-2,3, C6HF4-2,3,4,5)

Russian Journal of General Chemistry - Bismuth compounds Ph3Bi[OC(O)R]2 (R = CH2C6H4F-3, C6H3F2-2,3, C6HF4-2,3,4,5) were synthesized by the reaction of triphenylbismuth with a carboxylic acid and...     

Oligomerization and oxide formation in bismuth aryl alkoxides: synthesis and characterization of Bi4(mu 4-O)(mu-OC6F5)6(mu 3-OBi(mu-OC6F5)3)2(C6H5CH3), Bi8(mu 4-O)2(mu 3-O)2(mu-OC6F5)16, Bi6(mu 3-O)4(mu 3-OC6F5)(mu 3-OBi(OC6F5)4)3, NaBi4(mu 3-O)2(OC6F5)9(THF)2, and Na2Bi4(mu 3-O)2(OC6F5)10(THF)2

Exposing [Bi(OR)3(toluene)]2 (1, R = OC6F5) to different solvents leads to the formation of larger polymetallic bismuth oxo alkoxides via ether elimination/oligomerization reactions. Three different compounds were obtained depending upon the conditions: Bi4(mu 4-O)(mu-OR)6(mu 3-OBi(mu-OR)3)2(C6H5CH3) (2), Bi8(mu 4-O)2(mu 3-O)2(mu 2-OR)16 (3), Bi6(mu 3-O)4(mu 3-OR)(mu 3-OBi(OR)4)3 (4). Compounds 2 and 3 can also be synthesized via an alcoholysis reaction between BiPh3 and ROH in refluxing dichloromethane or chloroform. Related oxo complexes NaBi4(mu 3-O)2(OR)9(THF)2 (5) and Na2Bi4(mu 3-O)2(OR)10(THF)2 (6) were obtained from BiCl3 and NaOR in THF. The synthesis of 1 and Bi(OC6Cl5)3 via salt elimination was successful when performed in toluene as solvent. For compounds 2-6 the single-crystal X-ray structures were determined. Variable-temperature NMR spectra are reported for 2, 3, and 5.     

STUDY OF THE CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF AN IRIDIUM COMPLEX WITH A TETRAPHENYLBISMUTH CATION [Ph4Bi]2[(μ2-Br)Br3Ir(CH3CN)]2

Journal of Structural Chemistry - Crystals of complex [Ph4Bi]2[(μ2-Br)Br3Ir(CH3CN)]2 (1) are prepared by the interaction of tetraphenylbismuth nitrate with sodium hexabromoiridate(IV) in water...     

二维/二维S-型Bi3NbO7/g-C3N4异质结光催化剂驱动选择性CO2还原制CH4

人工光合作用可直接将二氧化碳转化为一系列碳氢化合物,实现大气中的碳循环,被视为一种既能解决能源短缺又能减少温室气体,进而改善人类生存环境的新型绿色技术.光催化二氧化碳还原体系需要合适的耦合氧化还原反应,以及对外界光源的有效利用以产生足够电子参与反应,因此构建高催化活性和高选择性的催化体系仍然面临着巨大挑战.此外,二维纳米结构(2D)由于具有比表面积大、离子的迁移路径短以及独特的平层电子转移轨道等特性,被证实有利于光催化还原CO₂过程.其中,Bi₃NbO₇特殊的片层结构和合适的能带位置,使其在光催化还原CO₂反应中表现出良好的催化性能.然而,Bi₃NbO₇的光生载流子易复合及反应中光腐蚀严重等缺陷导致其光利用率较低,限制了其实际应用.因此,构建S-型异质结是提高复合材料光催化活性的一种有前途的策略.S-型异质结不仅能有效地分离光生电子和空穴,而且这一电子转移过程赋予了复合物最大的氧化还原能力.同时,S-型光催化体系不仅拥有同样的强氧化和强还原能力,还可显著抑制副反应的发生及副产物的产生,有利于CO₂还原反应的高选择性进行.本文利用简易的溶剂热法制备了一系列S-型Bi₃NbO₇/g-C₃N₄(BNO/UCN)异质结光催化剂,与其纯组分催化剂相比,表现出优异的光催化还原CO₂活性,g-C₃N₄含量为80wt%的BNO/UCN-3光催化剂催化CO₂生成CH₄产率为37.59μmol·g^-1h^-1,是g-C₃N₄的15倍,CH₄选择性为90%;且循环反应10次后仍保持较高的活性及CH4选择性.光催化活性及选择性的显著增强是由于二维分布的纳米结构和S-型电荷转移路径.在可见光照射下,界面内建电场、带边缘弯曲和库仑相互作用协同促进了复合物相对无用的电子和空穴的复合.因此,剩余的电子和空穴具有较高的还原性和氧化性,使复合材料具有较高的氧化还原能力.自由基捕获实验、电子顺磁共振实验和原位X射线光电子能谱实验结果表明,光催化剂中的电子迁移遵循S-型异质结机理.综上,本文不仅为新型S-型异质结CO₂还原光催化剂的设计和制备提供了新方法,而且为未来解决能源短缺及实现碳中和目标提供一定的实验及理论依据.     

Tetra- and Pentanuclear Iodobismuthates with the Cation Based on 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine: Syntheses and Crystal Structures

Russian Journal of Coordination Chemistry - Complexes (HTMP)4[Bi4I16] · 2H2O · 2(CH3)2CO (I) and (HTMP)3[Bi5I18] · 5THF (II) have been synthesized by the reactions of BiI3 and...     

铋基钙钛矿(CH3NH3)3Bi2I9薄膜的制备及在光伏电池中的应用

铋基钙钛矿由于稳定性强及毒性低,被认为是未来极具发展潜力的环保型钙钛矿材料。(CH₃NH₃)₃Bi₂I₉(MBI)因具有优异的光吸收性能而引起人们的普遍关注。本文介绍了MBI钙钛矿晶体的结构及性能,总结了其薄膜的制备方法,并重点叙述了不同方法制备的MBI钙钛矿薄膜在光伏电池中的应用情况。MBI钙钛矿与铅基钙钛矿的效率相比还有很大差距,如何提高其光电转换效率仍是今后研究的主要方向。     

Ru(2) Bi(14) Br(4) ](AlCl(4) )(4) by Mobilization and Reorganization of Complex Clusters in Ionic Liquids

Two polymorphs of the new cluster compound [Ru(2) Bi(14) Br(4) ](AlCl(4) )(4) have been synthesized from Bi(24) Ru(3) Br(20) in the Lewis acidic ionic liquid [BMIM]Cl/AlCl(3) ([BMIM](+) : 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium) at 140?°C. A large fragment of the precursor's structure, namely the [(Bi(8) )Ru(Bi(4) Br(4) )Ru(Bi(5) )](5+) cluster, dissolved as a whole and transformed into a closely related symmetrical [(Bi(5) )Ru(Bi(4) Br(4) )Ru(Bi(5) )](4+) cluster through structural conversion of a coordinating Bi(8) (2+) to a Bi(5) (+) polycation, while the remainder was left intact. Both modifications have monoclinic unit cells that comprise two formula units (α form: P2(1) /n, a=982.8(2), b=1793.2(4), c=1472.0(3)?pm, β=109.05(3)°; β form: P2(1) /n, a=1163.8(2), b=1442.7(3), c=1500.7(3), β=97.73(3)°). The [Ru(2) Bi(14) Br(4) ](4+) cluster can be regarded as a binuclear inorganic complex of two ruthenium(I) cations that are coordinated by terminal Bi(5) (+) square pyramids and a central Bi(4) Br(4) ring. The presence of a covalent Ru?Ru bond was established by molecular quantum chemical calculations utilizing real-space bonding indicator ELI-D. Structural similarity of the new and parent cluster suggests a structural reorganization or an exchange of the bismuth polycations as mechanisms of cluster formation. In this top-down approach a complex-structured unit formed at high temperature was made available for low-temperature use.     

Corroles with group 15 metal ions. Synthesis and characterization of octaethylcorroles containing As, Sb, and Bi ions in +3, +4, and oxidation states

The synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and electrochemistry of As, Sb, and Bi corroles are reported. The investigated complexes are represented by [(OEC)AsV(CH3)]+ClO4- and (OEC)M where M = As(III), Sb(III), or Bi(III) and OEC is the trianion of octaethylcorrole. The products of each redox reaction are characterized by UV-vis and ESR spectroscopy. The first one-electron oxidations of (OEC)As and (OEC)Sb are metal-centered and result in the formation of [(OEC)AsIV]+ and [(OEC)SbIV]+. A second one-electron oxidations generates [(OEC)AsV]2+ and [(OEC.)SbIV]2+, the latter of which is slowly converted to a Sb(V) corrole, [(OEC)SbV]2+. The first one-electron oxidation of (OEC)Bi leads only to the Bi(III) pi-cation radical, but a second one-electron oxidation is proposed to give a Bi(IV) complex, [(OEC)Bi]2+. The first reduction of [(OEC)AsV(CH3)]+ClO4- is accompanied by loss of the sigma-bonded methyl ligand and formation of an As(III) complex.     

Solvation of the bismuth(III) ion by water, dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N'-dimethylpropyleneurea, and N,N-dimethylthioformamide. An EXAFS, large-angle X-ray scattering, and crystallographic structural study

The structure of the solvated bismuth(III) ion in aqueous, dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N'-dimethylpropyleneurea, and N,N-dimethylthioformamide solution has been studied by means of EXAFS and large-angle X-ray scattering (LAXS). The crystal structures of the solid compounds octakis(dimethyl sulfoxide)bismuth(III) perchlorate, [Bi(OS(CH3)2)8](ClO4)3, hexakis(N,N'-dimethylpropyleneurea)bismuth(III) perchlorate, [Bi(OCN2(CH2)3(CH3)2)6](ClO4)3, and nonaaquabismuth(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate, [Bi(H2O)9](CF3SO3)3 (redetermination), have been determined. The aqueous solutions must be strongly acidic, since the hydrated bismuth(III) ion starts to hydrolyze into Bi6O4(OH)4(6+) complexes already at an excess of strong acid at 1.0 mol.dm-3. For very acidic aqueous perchlorate solutions, the LAXS and EXAFS data gave a satisfactory fit for eight-coordination of the bismuth(III) ion, with a mean Bi-O bond distance of 2.41(1) A. The crystal structure of octakis(dimethyl sulfoxide)bismuth(III) perchlorate shows that the bismuth(III) ion coordinates eight dimethyl sulfoxide molecules via the oxygen atoms in a distorted square antiprismatic configuration. The mean Bi-O bond distance is 2.43 A and the mean Bi...S distance 3.56 A. For the dimethyl sulfoxide solution, the corresponding mean distances were found to be 2.411(6) and 3.535(12) A. The N,N'-dimethylpropyleneurea-solvated bismuth(III) ion is octahedrally coordinated in both solid state and solution with the Bi-O bond distances of 2.324(5) and 2.322(3) A, respectively. The bismuth(III) ion is six-coordinated in the sulfur donor solvent N,N-dimethylthioformamide with a mean Bi-S bond distance of 2.794(8) A. A comparison with the structure of the solvated lanthanum(III) ion shows that the bismuth(III) ion is smaller for all coordination numbers. New effective ionic radii for the bismuth(III) ion in different coordination numbers are proposed, based on results in this study and in the literature.     

A series of new copper iodobismuthates: structural relationships, optical band gaps affected by dimensionality, and distinct thermal stabilities

Three new copper iodobismuthates, red tetranuclear [n-Bu(4)N][Cu(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)Bi(2)I(10)] (1), dark-red infinite linear [Et(4)N](2n)[Cu(2)Bi(2)I(10)](n) (2), and black polymeric ladderlike [Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)](2n)[Cu(2)Bi(2)I(10)](n) (3), crystallize from solutions of BiI3 and CuI in the presence of different cations. A regular structural relationship from 0-D (1) to 1-D linear anion chains (2) to 1-D ladderlike anion chains (3) is observed. The self-assembly of the basic building unit Cu(2)Bi(2)I(10) as altered by different cations is proposed to be the driving force for their formation. The optical band gaps exhibit a structure-related decrease from 1 to 2/3, in agreement with their color changes and the density functional theory (DFT) calculation results. The electronic structures and the relationship with corresponding monobismuth analogues and the Ag-Bi isotypes are discussed on the basis of DFT calculations. In spite of their structural similarities, the compounds are distinctive thermally: 2 is stable to 230 degrees C, 1 undergoes a solvent loss at 85 degrees C to form a new phase that is thermally stable to 230 degrees C, and 3 releases a solvent molecule and decomposes at 80 degrees C into BiI(3) and CuI. The essential reasons for these differences are discussed.     

The First Organobismuth Rings: (RBi)3 and (RBi)4, R=(Me3Si)2CH

Surprisingly facile at low temperatures is the synthesis of the first cyclobismuthanes 1 and 2 [Eq. (1)]. In solution 1 and 2 are in equilibrium. The four-membered ring 2 forms black crystals, which were structurally analyzed. At room temperature the rings decompose to elemental bismuth and R₃Bi. R=(Me₃Si)₂CH.     

The OsO4F-, OsO4F2(2)-, and OsO3F3- anions, their study by vibrational and NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, and the X-ray crystal structures of [N(CH3)4][OsO4F] and [N(CH3)4][OsO3F3

The fluoride ion acceptor properties of OsO4 and OsO3F2 were investigated. The salts [N(CH3)4][OsO4F] and [N(CH3)4]2[OsO4F2] were prepared by the reactions of OsO4 with stoichiometric amounts of [N(CH3)4][F] in CH3CN solvent. The salts [N(CH3)4][OsO3F3] and [NO][OsO3F3] were prepared by the reactions of OsO3F2 with a stoichiometric amount of [N(CH3)4][F] in CH3CN solvent and with excess NOF, respectively. The OsO4F- anion was fully structurally characterized in the solid state by vibrational spectroscopy and by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of [N(CH3)4][OsO4F]: Abm2, a = 7.017(1) A, b = 11.401(2) A, c = 10.925(2) A, V = 874.1(3) A3, Z = 4, and R = 0.0282 at -50 degrees C. The cis-OsO4F2(2-) anion was characterized in the solid state by vibrational spectroscopy, and previous claims regarding the cis-OsO4F2(2-) anion are shown to be erroneous. The fac-OsO3F3- anion was fully structurally characterized in CH3CN solution by 19F NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by vibrational spectroscopy of its N(CH3)4+ and NO+ salts and by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of [N(CH3)4][OsO3F3]: C2/c, a = 16.347(4) A, b = 13.475(3) A, c = 11.436(3) A, beta = 134.128(4) degrees, V = 1808.1(7) A3, Z = 8, and R = 0.0614 at -117 degrees C. The geometrical parameters and vibrational frequencies of OsO4F-, cis-OsO4F2(2-), monomeric OsO3F2, and fac-OsO3F3- and the fluoride affinities of OsO4 and monomeric OsO3F2 were calculated using density functional theory methods.     

Solid state coordination chemistry: structural consequences of variations in tether length in the oxovanadium-copper-bisterpy-[O3P(CH2)nPO3]4- system, n= 1-6 (bisterpy = 2,2':4',4'':2'',2'''-quarterpyridyl-6',6''-di-2-pyridine)

Hydrothermal reactions of Na3VO4, an appropriate Cu(II) source, bisterpy and an organodiphosphonate, H2O3P(CH2)nPO3H2 (n = 1-6) yielded a family of materials of the type [Cu2(bisterpy)]4+/VxOy(n-)/[O3P(CH2)nPO3]4-. This family of bimetallic oxides is characterized by an unusual structural diversity. The oxides [[Cu2(bisterpy)]V2O4[O3PCH2PO3H]2] (1), [[Cu2(bisterpy)(H2O)]VO2[O3P(CH2)3PO3][HO3P(CH2)3PO3H2]] (4) and [[Cu2(bisterpy)]V2O4[O3P(CH2)6PO3H]2].2H2O (7.2H2O) are one-dimensional, while [[Cu2(bisterpy)(H2O)2]V2O4[O3P(CH2)2PO3][HO3P(CH2)2PO3H]2] (2), [[Cu2(bisterpy)]V4O8[O3P(CH23PO3]2].4H2O (3.4H2O) and [[Cu2(bisterpy)]V2O4(OH)2[O3P(CH2)4PO3]].4H2O (5.4H2O) are two-dimensional. The V(IV) oxide [[Cu2(bisterpy)]V4O4[O3P(CH2)5PO3H]4].7.3H2O (6.7.3H2O) provides a relatively unusual example of a three-dimensional bimetallic oxide phosphonate. The structures reveal a variety of V/P/O substructures as building blocks.     

Experimental and theoretical evidence of the first Au(i)...Bi(iii) interaction

Complex [Au(C6F5)2][Bi(C6H4CH2NMe(2)-2)2] displays the first example of an interaction between Au(I) and Bi(III), the nature of which is shown to be consistent with the presence of a high ionic contribution (79%) and a dispersion type (van der Waals) interaction (21%).     

Neodymium(III)-substituted bismuth titanate thin film generation using metal alkoxo, acyloxo, and beta-diketonato precursors employing a sol-gel route and using 4f-4f transition spectra as probes to explore kinetic performance

Heterotrimetallic lanthanide-substituted bismuth titanate (BLT, where lanthanide is neodymium) with stoichiometry Nd(0.75)Bi(3.25)Ti(3)O(12) has been obtained in both highly homogenized crystalline and amorphous thin film forms using three different multicomponent precursors, A (formed from Nd(OC(3)H(7)(i))(3), Bi(OOC.CH(3))(3), and Ti(OC(3)H(7)(i))(4) taken in the desired stoichiometry), B (formed from Nd(OC(3)H(7)(i))(2)(acac), Bi(OOC.CH(3))(3), Ti(OC(3)H(7)(i))(3)(acac)), and C (formed from Nd(OC(3)H(7))(acac)(2), Bi(OOC.CH(3))(3), Ti(OC(3)H(7))(3)(acac), in the desired stoichiometry), and employing controlled acidic hydrolysis during the sol-gel method. Paramagnetic Nd(III), an f(3) metal ion, gives characteristic 4f-4f transition spectra in the visible and near infrared region. The sensitivity of 4f-4f transitions to minor coordination changes around paramagnetic Nd(3+) has been used to monitor hydrolysis during the progress of the sol-gel process of the multicomponent BLT precursors. The variation of intensities (oscillator strengths) of 4f-4f bands during hydrolysis, as well as the variation of Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, has helped in following the preliminary kinetics of hydrolysis. Highly complex polycondensation reactions occurred during sol-gel hydrolysis of three BLT precursors. Rates of hydrolysis with respect to five 4f-4f transitions of Nd(III) were determined. The different types of multicomponent BLT precursors have shown different rates of hydrolysis, following the reactivity trend A > B > C.