SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURE AND THERMOCHEMICAL REACTIVITY OF BISMUTH METHOXIDE, BIOOCH3

Microcrystalline bismuth methoxide, BiOOCH3, was synthesized by reacti ng bismuth nitrate pentahydrate in a sodium hydroxide/methanol mixture . The structure was determined with a Rietveld refinement in space gro up P4/nmm (a = 3.740 Angstrom, c = 10.513 Angstrom) from X-ray powder data. The thermochemical reactivity is discussed with respect to its d ependence of the gas atmosphere and the morphology as well as with res pect to the formation of bismuth oxide exhibiting tailor-made textures and morphologies. The significance of the title compound as potential precursor compound for the generation of ternary or polynary oxides i s discussed.