Synthesis and structure of mu-oxobis[(4-methylbenzenesulfonato)trimethylbismuth]

mu -Oxobis[(4-methylbenzenesulfonato)trimethylbismuth] was obtained by the reaction of triphenylbismuth with 4-metylbenzenesulfonic acid in the presen ce of hydrogen peroxide in ether at an 1: 1: 1 reactant molar ratio or by h ydrolysis of triphenylbismuth bis(4-methylbenzenesulfonate), in 82 or 76% y ields, respectively. According to X-ray diffraction data, the bismuth atoms have a trigonal-bipyramidal configuration with the 4-metylbenzenesulfonato and bridging oxygens in axial positions. Bridging Bi-O bonds [1.97(2) and 1.95(2) Angstrom] are much shorter then terminal [2.30(2) and 2.24(2) Angst rom], and the BiOBi bond angle is 140.7(7)degrees.