Synthesis and structure of tetra- and triphenylbismuth arenesulfonates

Tetraphenylbismuth arenesulfonates were synthesized by the reaction of pent aphenylantimony or -bismuth with triphenylbismuth bis(arenesulfonates). Tri phenylbismuth bis(arenesulfonates) were synthesized by the reaction of trip henylbismuth with arenesulfonic acids in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The crystal structures of the tetraphenylbismuth 2,5-dimethylbenzenesulfon ate crystal hydrate (1), tetraphenylbismuth 3-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzenesulfo nate (2), and triphenylbismuth bis(2,5-dimethylbenzenesulfonate) (3) were d etermined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The Bi atom in 1 has a tetrahedral coordination (bond angles vary from 106.6(6) to 111.9(10)degrees). The Bi coordination observed in 2 is intermediate between tetrahedral and trigonal -bipyramidal, and that in structure 3 is trigonal-bipyramidal, with the oxy gen atoms in the axial positions. The Bi--O bond lengths are 2.19(2) and 2. 27(2) Angstrom. In the crystal of 2, the anions form an infinite hydrogen-b onded chain.