REACTION OF TRIPHENYLANTIMONY AND TRIPHENYLBISMUTH WITH TERT-BUTYL PERACETATE

Triphenylantimony and triphenylbismuth diacetates, Ph(3)M(OAc)(2) (M = Sb, Bi), were obtained in 50-94% yields by the reaction of triphenyla ntimony and triphenylbismuth with tert-butyl peracetate in the presenc e of acetic acid or acetic anhydride (molar ratio 1 : 1 : 1) in toluen e. tert-Butyl peracetate oxidizes Ph(3)M into alkoxides, Ph(3)M(OAc)OB u(t), which at the instant of formation are acylated with acetic acid or acetic anhydride to give the corresponding derivatives, Ph(3)M(OAc) (2).