A generally applicable synthetic approach for heteroleptic thiolate complexes of bismuth

As part of a systematic development of bismuth coordination chemistry, we are exploiting the thermodynamic and hydrolytic stability of Bi--S bonds. A series of heteroleptic thiolate bismuth complexes have been isolated and characterized. The generally applicable synthetic methodology involves the use of hetero-bifunctional ligands containing a thiolate moiety as an anchor to facilitate coordinate interaction of weak donors (carbonyls, amines, hydroxyls) with bismuth. The bifunctional nature of the ligands is manifested in chelating roles. Important comparisons with established thiolate complexes of bismuth are discussed. Key words: bismuth, thiolate, heteroleptic, crystallography.