Triorganylbismuthine oxides

In contrast with extensive works on lighter organylpnicogen oxides, little attention has hitherto been paid to the chemistry of organylbismuthine oxides. However, the oxides of triorganylbismuthines have potential as a versatile precursor for a variety of organobismuth(V) compounds. 

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The physical properties of triorganylbismuthine oxides have not been examined quite so extensively. Goel et al. claim that triphenylbismuthine oxide has a five-coordinated bismuth center with a polymeric structure involving -Bi-O-Bi- units [72JOM(36)323]. 

This class of compounds can be obtained by a variety of methods which include metathesis, oxidative addition, reduction, transmetallation, thermolysis, disproportionation, electrochemical coupling, and others. In this section, the syntheses of symmetrical and unsymmetrical triorganylbismuthines according to these methodologies are described. 

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