Bismuth-azide bonds

The bismuth-azide bond has received some attention. The synthesis is often surprisingly facile (equation 57).195 The organobismuthine azides are more unstable, but the azide group displaces an alkyl group from trialkylbismuthine (equation 58).196... 

Few organobismuth-nitrogen compounds have been structurally characterized. The azide Me2BiN3 forms supramolecular chain-like arrays, similar to those described for arsenic and antimony. Again, the bridging bonds are equalized (Bi-N 2.49 and 2.50 A). The chains are bent at nitrogen (Bi-N-Bi 123°) and almost linear at bismuth (N-Bi-N 169°) [476]. 

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