Bismuth sulfate

Bismuth sulfate (Bi2(S04)3) is found in the form of white hygroscopic crystals, which readily decompose in water to give basic subsulfate and dissolve without decomposition in aqueous sulfuric acid. Above 465°C, it is converted to the oxide under the liberation of sulfur trioxide. This salt costs 1900 per 25 g taken from Wako Catalogue 1998 (Wako Pure Chemicals, Ltd. 3-1-2, Dosho-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-8605, Japan). 

Scheme 5.13. Bismuth sulfate-catalyzed oxygenation of cyclohexene [76CL29].

Bismuth When sulfides are present, bismuth combines with SO, forming a small white sublimate of (Bi) bismuth sulfate. When heated it melts to brown drops, the cooled drops are yellow and opaque. 

Radioactivity is independent of the state of chemical combination of the radioactive isotope. The reaction of g°Bi occurs for atoms of that particular isotope whether they are in pure elemental bismuth, combined in bismuth chloride, BiClg bismuth sulfate, 812(804)3, or any other bismuth compound, or if they happen to be present in the low-melting alloy used in sprinkler systems for fire protection in large buildings. 

Basic nitrates are obtained when bismuth nitrate is treated with hot or cold water until no more HNO3 is extracted. Bismuth sulfate, Bi2(S04)3, is hydrolyzed slowly by cold water, rapidly by hot water, forming dibismuthyl sulfate, (Bi0)2S04, and perhaps some Bi(OH)S04. 

---