The use of bismuth nitrate pentahydrate,Bi(NO 3 ) 3 ċ5H 2 O,and bismuth subnitrate monohydrate,BiO(NO 3 )ċH 2 O,for the preparation of tris(arylthio)bismuthines

The reaction of para-substituted thiophenols with Bi(NO₃)₃ċ5H₂O and BiO(NO₃)ċH₂O was studied. The nitrate was more reactive than the subnitrate, and was a convenient bismuth compound for the preparation of trithiolates, Bi(SAr)₃. Thiols having electron withdrawing groups seem to be more reactive than those with electron donating groups. The thiolato groups in Bi(SAr)₃ can migrate to Bi(NO₃)₃ċ5H₂O thus giving (ArS)₂Bi(NO₃), but the monothiolate product, ArS-Bi(NO₃)₂, decomposed evolving NO₂. Bi(III) complexes with some aromatic thiols of probable biochemical interest are also described.