The reaction of Cp(2)NbH(3) with ClBiPh(2) in THF in the presence of a
mine resulted in the formation of the first bismuthido-substituted nio
bocene, Cp(2)NbH(2)BiPh(2) (1), having a unique combination of an earl
y transition metal, a bismuthido ligand and a hydride ligand. This hig
hly unstable compound was characterized by H-1 and C-13 NMR spectrosco
py. One of the decomposition pathways for 1 was found to proceed via b
reaking of the Bi-Ph bond.