Synthesis, structure and reactivity of triphenylbismuth bis(2-thiophenecarboxylate)

Triphenylbismuth bis(2-thiophenecarboxylate) was prepared and its X-ray str ucture determined. The structure features two independant molecules, each o f which adopt trigonal-bipyramidal geometries, with the carboxylato groups showing a strong bidentate apical coordination. Under copper catalysis, tri phenylbismuth bis(2-thiophenecarboxylate) led to modest to moderate yields of O- or N-phenylation products.