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Updated: Feb 26, 2026
07:14
Synthesis of Bimetallic Pt/Sn-based Nanoparticles in Ionic Liquids
Published on: August 23, 2018
9.5K
Alkyl Bismuth Cations: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application as Z-Type Ligands
Johannes Schwarzmann1,2, Joel Nitzsche1,2, Cissie Slopianka1,2
1Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|February 25, 2026
Summary
Researchers synthesized novel alkyl bismuth cations with cyclic motifs and longer alkyl chains, expanding organobismuth chemistry. These cations function as soft Z-type ligands, forming unique metal-only Lewis pairs with platinum complexes.
Area of Science:
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- The chemistry of alkyl bismuth cations is underdeveloped compared to aryl counterparts.
- A knowledge gap exists in the synthesis and reactivity of alkyl bismuth compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop synthetic protocols for novel alkyl bismuth precursors.
- To synthesize and characterize the first alkyl bismuth cations with longer alkyl chains and cyclic motifs.
- To investigate the ligand properties of these novel cations.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of bismacyclic and cyclopropyl bismuth precursors.
- Conversion of precursors to cationic alkyl bismuth species [BiR2(SbF6)].
- Reaction of cations with platinum(0) precursor [Pt(PCy3)2] to form metal-only Lewis pairs.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of Bi(CH2)5Br, BicPr2Cl, and BiiPr2Cl precursors.
- Formation of cationic species [BiR2(SbF6)] with R2 = (CH2)5, cPr2, iPr2.
- Isolation and characterization of platinum-bismuth complexes with unsupported Pt→Bi bonds.
- Identification of Pt oxidation and cyclopropyl ring-opening as decomposition pathways.
Conclusions:
- Established new synthetic routes for alkyl bismuth cations.
- Demonstrated the utility of these cations as soft Z-type ligands.
- Reported the first metal-only Lewis pairs involving alkyl bismuth cations and platinum.
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