Preparation of thiolates of arsenic(III) and bismuth(III) with dithioerythritol,2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid and its sodium salt,6-mercaptopurine and its riboside

The reaction of As₂O₃ with specific thiols gave the respective trithiolates, As(SR)₃, except with dithioerythritol where the known monomeric, bicyclic complex was obtained. Dithioerythritol did not react with Bi₂O₃ while with Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O gave the monocyclic dithiolate. Bi(III) with 6-mercaptopurine and its riboside afforded the trithiolates Bi(SAr)₃. Depending on the stoichiometry, three products were isolated from the reaction of 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid and Bi₂O₃ or Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O. Sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate and Bi₂O₃ gave a monocyclic compound under various stoichiometries while using Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O only one product could be characterized.