[Bi(OSitBuPh2)3]: A Metal Silanolate with a Weak Bismuth ‐ π Arene Interaction

The title compound [Bi(OSitBuPh₂)₃] ( 1 ) was prepared by the reaction of [Bi(OtBu)₃] with tBuPh₂SiOH in toluene at room temperature. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with the lattice constants a = 17.610(1), b = 20.153(1), c = 26.655(1) Å and β = 105.503(3)°. In the solid state a dimer is observed as a result of weak bismuth π‐arene interactions. The bismuth arene centroid distance amounts to 3.340(7) Å. Thermolysis of compound 1 performed under argon gave a heterogeneous product. The powder X‐ray diffraction analysis of the latter shows elementary bismuth as the only crystalline phase.