The Lewis acidity of bismuth(III) halides: a DFT analysis

The Lewis acidity of BiX₃ (X=Cl, Br, I) is explored using density-functional theory (DFT) studies of simple complexes with various alcohol and carbonyl substrates. The calculated relative energies of the complexes follow the trend of hardness for BiX₃ (Cl>Br>I). The observed halogen exchange reaction of BiCl₃ with alcohols and alkyl halides is discussed in terms of the computational results as well as theories of hardness and carbocation stability. The DFT results predict similar activation of substrates by molecular BiI₃ relative to BiBr₃, which is inconsistent with experimental results, which show no reactivity for the iodide in nonpolar solvents. However, the molecular form is unlikely in these solvents as BiI₃ is an ionic salt in contrast to the chloride and bromide, which are covalent solids.     

Direct conversion of carbonyl compounds into organic halides: indium(III) hydroxide-catalyzed deoxygenative halogenation using chlorodimethylsilane

The reaction of carbonyls and chlorodimethylsilane was effectively catalyzed by indium(III) hydroxide and afforded the corresponding deoxygenative chlorination products, in which the carbonyl carbon accepted two nucleophiles (H and Cl) with releasing oxygen. Only In(OH)3 catalyzed the reaction, and typical Lewis acids such as TiCl4, AlCl3, and BF3.OEt2 showed no catalytic activity. The reaction mechanism of this deoxygenative chlorination includes initial hydrosilylation followed by chlorination. Other nucleophiles such as allyl or iodine were available for this methodology. The moderate Lewis acidity of indium catalyst enabled chemoselective reaction, and therefore ester, nitro, cyano, or halogen groups were not affected during the reaction course.     

Reductive coupling reaction of aldehydes using indium(III) triflate as the catalyst

A reductive coupling reaction was effectively developed to convert an aldehyde to its symmetrical ether. The successful reactions required Et₃SiH and CH₂Cl₂ as the suitable solvent in the presence of a catalytic amount of In(OTf)₃. Various aldehydes were subjected to the method, and each afforded the expected ethers in good to excellent yields.     

Molecular complexes of 4-NH2-benzophenone with bismuth(III) halides and with iodine

The following solid complexes of 4-NH₂-benzophenone (L) with bismuth (III) chloride, bromide and iodide and with iodine were prepared: BiCl₃·L (yellow), BiCl₃·2L (red), 3BiBr₃·2L (orange), BiBr₃·2L (red). 2BiI₃·3L (red), I·L (yellow), I·2L (orange), I·3L (red). The iodine complexes are obtained from ethanolic solutions of BiI₃ and the ligand, by precipitation with water or ligroin, the iodide ion being oxydized to iodine by the oxygen dissolved in the solvents. From an oxygen free ligroin-ethanolic solution only 2 BiI₃·3L is obtained. The i.r. spectra of the solids show that in the yellow or orange BiX₃ complexes the NH₂ group is involved into the coordination while in the red BiX₃ complexes and in the orange and red iodine complexes the v(NH) bands of the ligand remain unaltered. The carbonylic oxygen is not involved in the coordination. In DCM solution the red BiX₃ complexes and all the iodine complexes show a C.T. band at 440-420 nm, the energy of which gives a linear plot versus the electron affinity of the three halogens. The electronic spectra of the solids show a C.T. band in the region 470–500 nm.     

Stability of bismuth(III), indium(III), lead(II), and cadmium(II) monocomplexes with selenourea and thiourea

The stability constants of the bismuth(III), indium(III), lead(II), and cadmium,(II) monocomplexes with selenourea (seu) and thiourea (tu) were determined spectrophotometrically at the ionic strength 1 (0.5 mol/L HClO₄ + NaClO₄) or 2 (1 mol/L HClO₄ + NaClO₄) and 276 and 298 K. For all metals, the stability constants (β₁) of the complexes with seu were higher than those of the complexes with tu and changed in the series Bi³⁺ > Cd²⁺ ≈ In³⁺ > Pb²⁺. A correlation between logβ₁(S) and logβ₁(Se) was established.     

Selective extraction of thallium(III) in the presence of gallium(III), indium(III), bismuth(III) and antimony(III) by salting-out of an aqueous mixture of 2-propanol

Thallium(III), in the presence of other triply charged ions such as gallium, indium, bismuth and antimony in aqueous solution, was quantitatively and selectively extracted into 2-propanol/water phase by addition of NaCl ranging from 2.5 to 4.0 mol dm⁻³. The extraction efficiencies of gallium, indium, bismuth and antimony were much lower than that of thallium(III). Thus a maximal selective separation of thallium(III) from these elements could be attained using a 2-propanol/water mixture. Thallium(III) was extracted as TlCl₄⁻ with Na⁺. The detailed extraction mechanism in the presence of chloride, water in the organic phase and counter ions is discussed.     

Preparation, characterization, and structural systematics of diphosphane and diarsane complexes of indium(III) halides

The ligands o-C6H4(PMe2)2 and o-C6H4(AsMe2)2 (L-L) react with anhydrous InX3 (X = Cl, Br, or I) in a 2:1 InX3/ligand ratio to form [InX2(L-L)][InX4] containing distorted tetrahedral cations, established by X-ray crystal structures for L-L = o-C6H4(PMe2)2 (X = Br or I) and o-C6H4(AsMe2)2 (X = I). IR, Raman, and multinuclear NMR ((1)H, (31)P, (115)In) spectroscopy show that these are the only species present in solution in chlorocarbons and in the bulk solids. The products from reactions in a 1:1 or 1:2 molar ratio are more diverse and include the halide-bridged dimers [In2Cl6{o-C6H4(PMe2)2}2] and [In2X6{o-C6H4(AsMe2)2}2] (X = Cl or Br) and the distorted octahedral cation trans-[InBr2{o-C6H4(PMe2)2}2][InBr4]. The neutral complexes partially rearrange in chlorocarbon solution, with multinuclear NMR spectroscopy revealing [InX4](-) among other species. The iodo complexes trans-[InI2(L-L)2][InI4(L-L)] contain rare examples of six-coordinate anions, as authenticated by an X-ray crystal structure for L-L = o-C6H4(PMe2)2. Two species of formula [In2Cl5(L-L)2]n[InCl4]n (L-L = o-C6H4(PMe2)2 and o-C6H4(AsMe2)2) were identified crystallographically and contain polymeric cations with six-coordinate indium centers bonded to one chelating L-L and a terminal chlorine, linked by alternating single and double chlorine bridges into chains. The complicated chemistry of InX3 with these two rigid chelates is contrasted with that of the flexible diphosphane Et2P(CH2)2PEt2, which forms [In2Cl6{Et2P(CH2)2PEt2}2], and with more sterically demanding o-C6H4(PPh2)2 (Sigl et al. Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 1998, 203-210). The results also contrasted with those found for GaX3 with the same ligands (Cheng et al. Inorg. Chem. 2007, 46, 7215-7223).     

Environmentally friendly organic synthesis using bismuth compounds: bismuth(III) iodide catalyzed deprotection of acetals in water

The chemoselective deprotection of a wide range of acetals and ketals in water is catalyzed by bismuth(III) iodide. Bismuth(III) compounds are remarkably nontoxic and hence are attractive as environmentally friendly catalysts.     

Direct reductive amination using triethylsilane and catalytic bismuth(III) chloride

Direct reductive amination (DRA) using triethylsilane (TESH) and catalytic bismuth(III) chloride (BiCl₃) is described for the first time. The use of TESH and BiCl₃ provides easy handling, low cost, non-toxicity, and a mild Lewis acid activity, thereby meeting the demand for green and sustainable chemistry. The developed DRA is highly chemoselective and applicable to less-basic amines. The experimental results of this study revealed that the developed DRA could be catalyzed by BiCl₃, which was gradually reduced to Bi(0) or bismuth with a low valency by TESH, but TESCl, Bi(0), and Bi(0) with TESCl catalyzed the DRA to some extent.     

Alkylenedithiophosphate derivatives of arsenic(III), antimony(III) and bismuth(III)

Tris(alkylenedithiophosphates) of arsenic(III), antimony(III) and bismuth(III),

have been synthesized by the reactions of alkylenedithiophosphoric acids with metal oxides and chlorides and of their ammonium salts with metal chlorides in suitable solvents. Mixed chloride alkylenedithiophosphates of arsenic(III) and antimony(III),

have been obtained by the reactions of metal chlorides with ammonium alkylenedithiophosphates at 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 molar ratios or alternatively by the co-disproportionations reactions of metal chlorides with metal tris(alkylenedithiophosphates) at different (2 : 1 and 1 : 2) molar ratios. These new compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight measurements and spectroscopic (IR, and ¹H and ³¹P NMR) data. Chelated structures with bidentate alkylenedithiophosphate groups have been proposed for all these derivatives.     

Tris(1-adamantanecarboxylato)bismuth(III): Synthesis and structure

Tris(1-adamantanecarboxylato)bismuth(III) was synthesized by reacting triphenylbismuth with 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid in toluene. The bismuth atom in tetramer {Bi[OC(O)C₁₀H₁₅]₃}₄ is coordinated by 10 oxygen atoms of bidentate-chelating and two types of chelate-bridging adamantanecarboxylate ligands (Bi-O, 2.191–2.955 and 3.634 Å).     

Extraction and separation of bismuth(III)

Separation of bismuth from beryllium, lead, iron(III), indium, scandium, lanthanum, antimony(III), zirconium, titanium, thorium, vanadium(V), molybdenum(VI), uranium (VI) and chromium(VI) is achieved by selective extraction of bismuth from 0.1M sodium salicylate solution (adjusted to pH 7) into mesityl oxide (MeO). The extracted species is Bi (HOC(6)H(4)COO)(3).3MeO. The results are accurate within +/- 0.5%, with a standard deviation of 0.8%. The separation and determination of bismuth takes only 15 min.     

Syntheses and characterization nano-structured bismuth(III) oxide from a new nano-sized bismuth(III) supramolecular compound

Nano-particles of a new Bi(III) supramolecular compound, {Bi₂(μ-4,4′-bipy)Cl₁₀] · 2(4,4′-Hbipy) · (4,4′-H₂bipy) · 2H₂O} (1) {4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine}, were synthesized by a sonochemical method. The nano-material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Crystal structure of compound 1 was determined by X-ray crystallography. Calcination of the nano-particles of compound 1 at 400 °C under air atmospheres yields nano-sized particles of α-Bi₂O₃.     

Complexometric titration of gallium, indium and thallium(III) using sodium azide as a metal indicator

Summary Thallium(III) has been determined between pH 4.0 and 6.0 by titration against EDTA using sodium azide as indicator. The metal ion gives a bright yellow colour which is discharged at the equivalence point. Micro-quantities upto about 1 mg of the metal have been determined with accuracy. The end-point has also been determined photometrically. Gallium(III) and indium(III) can also be determined by back-titration of the excess of EDTA added to each of these ions against a standard ferric chloride solution using sodium azide as indicator.

---

Zusammenfassung Thallium(III) wird durch Titration mit ÄDTA-Lösung bei pH 4,0–6,0 gegen Natriumazid als Indicator bestimmt. Der Umschlag am Endpunkt erfolgt von Gelb nach Farblos. Mikromengen bis zu 1 mg können mit guter Genauigkeit erfa\t werden. Die Bestimmung kann auch photometrisch durchgeführt werden. Gallium(III) und Indium(III) können durch Rücktitration von überschüssigem ÄDTA mit Eisen(III)-chloridlösung bestimmt werden, wobei ebenfalls Natriumazid als Indicator dient.

     

Separation and preconcentration of gallium(III), indium(III), and thallium(III) using new hydrazone-modified resin.

Ga(III), In(III) and Tl(III) ions in the presence of different sulfate salts have been successfully separated using 1-(3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde)-2-acetylpyridiniumchloride hydrazone (DAPCH) loaded on Duolite C20 in batch and column modes. The obtained modified resin as well as the metal complexes was characterized by elemental analysis and infrared spectra. The extraction isotherms were determined at different pH values. Ga(III) and In(III) are sorbed from aqueous solution at pH 2.5 - 3.0 while Tl(III) is sorbed at 2.0. The stripping of the adsorbed ions can be carried out using different concentrations of HCl as eluent. The saturation sorption capacities of Ga(III), In(III) and Tl(III) were 0.82, 0.96 and 0.44 mmol g(-1), where the preconcentration factors are 150, 150 and 100, respectively. The metal(III):Duolite C20-DAPCH ratio was 1:2 for Tl(III) and 1:1 for In(III) and Ga(III). The loaded resin can be regenerated for at least 50 cycles. The utility of the modified resin was tested in aqueous samples and the results show an RSD value of < 5% reflecting their accuracy and reproducibility.     

Determination of free acid in antimony(III) and bismuth(III) solutions

A method for the determination of free acid in antimony(III) and bismuth(III) solutions is given. A solution of the disodium salt of EDTA, 2-3 % in excess of the stoichiometric amount, is added to the metal salt solution and titrated with sodium hydroxide solution potentiometrically or visually using a mixed indicator. The error in the method is less than 0.5 %.     

Antimony(III) and bismuth(III) halide complexes of 2-methyl-benzoxazole

In the antimony(III) and bismuth(III) complexes of 2-methyl-benzoxazole: SbX₃·L (X = Cl, Br), SbI₃·2.5L, MX₃·L·H₂O (M = Sb, X = I; M = Bi, X = Cl, Br), SbCl₄·HL, SbBr₅·2HL, BiCl₅·2HL. Bi₂X₉·3HL (X = Br, I) the ligand is O-bonded to the metal.     

Syntheses and characterization of a new nano-structured bismuth(III) bromide coordination polymer; new precursor for preparation of bismuth(III) bromide and bismuth(III) oxide nanostructures

Nanoparticles of a Bi(III) coordination polymer, {[Bi(μ-4,4′-bipy)Br₄] · (4,4′-Hbipy)} _n (1) (4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine), were synthesized by a sonochemical method. The new nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), IR spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. Compound 1 was structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The thermal stabilities of 1 as bulk and at nanosize were studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA). The Bi₂O₃ and BiBr₃ nanostructures were obtained by calcinations of nanostructure of 1 in air and argon.     

A solvent extraction-spectrophotometric determination of bismuth(III) as Tetra-n-butylammonium tetraiodobismuthate

A solvent extraction—spectrophotometric method has been developed for determination of bismuth in the form of tetra-n-butylammonium tetraiodobismuthate(III). The effects of pH, the concentrations of tetra-n-butylammonium and iodide ions, and the nature and amount of the organic, solvent have been studied. Tetra-n-butylammonium was found to be the most useful cation for extraction of tetraiodobismuthate with chloroform, giving quantitative extraction. The optimum pH is <3, and the extracted species is stable for at least a day at room temperature. Bismuth can be determined at the 10⁻⁵M level in aqueous solution, the relative standard deviation being 1.7%.