Directed tris-ortholithiation of tris[2-(diethylaminosulfonyl)phenyl]b
ismuthane 1 with tert-butyllithium followed by treatment with 3 equiv,
of bis[2-(diethylaminosulfonyl)phenyl]bismuth iodide 2a gives a symme
trically branched Bi-4-bismuthane 5a, which, on a similar treatment, i
s converted in a one-pot synthesis into a highly branched Bi-10-bismut
hane 6a.