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Updated: May 4, 2026

1,3,5-Triphenylbenzene and Corannulene as Electron Receptors for Lithium Solvated Electron Solutions
Published on: October 10, 2016
On the molecular structure and bonding in a lithium bismuth porphyrin complex: LiBi(TPP)(2)
Vagulejan Balasanthiran1, Malcolm H Chisholm, Christopher B Durr
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100W. 18th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1185 (USA) http://chisholm.group.chemistry.ohio-state.edu/index.php.
Abstract:
A new BiLi porphyrin sandwich compound, LiBi(TPP)2 has been synthesized and characterized (TPP=tetraphenylporphyrin). The unique molecular structure of LiBi(TPP)2 is such that the Bi sits between the porphyrins and is directed towards the Li. This complex was shown to remain intact in solution by temperature-dependent 2D NMR spectroscopy. In order to investigate the potential interaction between these two metals, DFT calculations were used and showed a Bi 6s orbital polarized towards Li which could be indicative of a BiLi dative bond. This bond is remarkably short, 2.87 Å, and is among the shortest BiLi distances seen in a small molecule.
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