Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Tetraphenylbismuth Benzenesulfonate Hydrate and Tetraphenylbismuth 3,4-Dimethylbenzenesulfonate

The reaction of pentaphenylbismuth with SO₃ or with triphenylbismuth bis(benzenesulfonate) in benzene gave tetraphenylbismuth benzenesulfonate monohydrate (I). Tetraphenylbismuth 3,4-dimethylbenzenesulfonate (II) was prepared from pentaphenylbismuth and triphenylbismuth bis(3,4-dimethylbenzenesulfonate) in benzene. The structures of compounds I and II were established by X-ray diffraction. The Bi atoms have a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination where the arenesulfonate group occupies an axial position. The Bi–C(average) and Bi–O distances in molecules I and II are 2.204(2), 2.695(2) Å and 2.205(2), 2.728(2) Å, respectively.