Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026

Preparation and Reactivity of a Triphosphenium Bromide Salt: A Convenient and Stable Source of PhosphorusI
Published on: November 22, 2016
Flash Communication: Bismuthinidenes as Lewis Bases in Reversible C(sp3)-O Bond Cleavage
Davide Spinnato1, Hye Won Moon1, Markus Leutzsch1
1Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
None:
Herein, we describe a unique example of a low-valent monocoordinated Bi-(I) complex acting as a Lewis base partner in a FLP activation reaction. The interplay between a bulky and rigid Bi-(I) and the Lewis acidic tris-(pentafluorophenyl)-borane (BCF) enables the opening of tetrahydrofuran (THF), delivering a zwitterionic Bi-(+)/B(-) product, which could be isolated and characterized spectroscopically and through SC-XRD. The zwitterionic bismuth complex exhibits remarkable spectroscopic features in the visible range, namely an LMCT band corresponding to the transition from the aromatic fluorene to the highly electron-poor cationic bismuth center. Interestingly, excitation of this band results in ring-closing C-O bond formation and subsequent recovery of the Bi-(I), thus constituting a photoreversible FLP activation with bismuth.
Related Concept Videos
Radical Substitution: Hydrogenolysis of Alkyl Halides with Tributyltin Hydride
The bonds formed in this reaction are stronger than the bonds broken, making it energetically favorable. The reaction follows a radical chain mechanism similar to radical halogenation reactions,...
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I
Radical Substitution: Allylic Bromination
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Lewis Acids and Bases
A coordinate covalent bond (or dative bond) occurs when one of the atoms in the bond provides both bonding electrons. For example, a coordinate covalent bond occurs when a water molecule combines with a hydrogen ion to form a hydronium ion. A coordinate covalent bond also results when...
Lewis Acids and Bases

