On the question of Bi(III) complexes in NaCl

The absorption of trivalent bismuth in solutions of sodium chloride of different concentrations was studied. The absorption bands were ascribed to complexes of bismuth with chlorine. The agreement between absorption bands in NaCl and KCl crystals doped with bismuth and in sufficiently concentrated solutions shows that bismuth in these crystals forms an octahedral complex with six neighbouring chlorine ions.