Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

A Facile Synthetic Method to Obtain Bismuth Oxyiodide Microspheres Highly Functional for the Photocatalytic Processes of Water Depuration
Published on: March 29, 2019
Synthesis and structure of a bismuth(III)/chromium(VI) oxo cluster containing a Bi4Cr4O12 core
Guo-Cang Wang1, Xiao-Yi Yi, Ian D Williams
1Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Bismuth(III) compounds containing the Kläui's oxygen tripodal ligand [CpCo{P(O)(OEt)(2)}(3)](-) (L(OEt)(-)) have been synthesized, and their interactions with dichromate in aqueous media were studied. The treatment of Bi(5)O(OH)(9)(NO(3))(4) with NaL(OEt) in water afforded [L(OEt)Bi(NO(3))(2)](2) (1), whereas that of BiCl(3) with NaL(OEt) in CH(2)Cl(2) yielded L(OEt)BiCl(2) (2). Chloride abstraction of 2 with AgX afforded [L(OEt)BiX(2)](2) [X(-) = triflate (OTf(-)) (3), tosylate (OTs(-)) (4)]. In aqueous solutions at pH > 4, 4 underwent ligand redistribution to give the bis(tripod) complex [(L(OEt))(2)Bi(H(2)O)][OTs] (5). The treatment of 4 with Na(2)Cr(2)O(7) in acetone/water afforded the Bi(III)/Cr(VI) oxo cluster [(L(OEt))(4)Bi(4)(μ(3)-CrO(4))(2)(μ(3)-Cr(2)O(7))(2)] (6) containing a unique Bi(4)Cr(4)O(12) oxometallic core. Compound 6 oxidized benzyl alcohol to give ca. 6 equiv of benzaldehyde. The reaction between 2 and CrO(3) yielded [L(OEt)Bi(OCrO(2)Cl)](2)(μ-Cl)(2) (7). The crystal structures of complexes 4-7 have been determined.
Related Concept Videos
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Valence Bond Theory
Coordination Number and Geometry
Structural Isomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can be...
Ionic Crystal Structures
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
Metallic Solids
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability. Many...

