Chemical Properties
white to off-white crystalline powder
Uses
Triphenylbismuth, as an volatile organometallic used in the preparation of thin films of superconducting oxides by CVD. It is also added to the fuel of rocket as cruing agent. It acts as a solidifying catalyst for butyl hydroxyl propellants.
Preparation
Triphenylbismuth is conveniently prepared by reaction of Phenylmagnesium Bromide with BiCl3 in ether.
storage
It must be stored in dark bottles in the absence of moisture or acidic vapors. Use in a fume hood.
Purification Methods
Dissolve it in EtOH, precipitate it with H2O, extract with Et2O, dry and evaporate till the residue crystallises. It has been recrystallised from EtOH and Et2O/EtOH and is a stable compound. [Forward et al. J Chem Soc suppl p121 1949, Pfeiffer et al. Chem Ber 37 4620 1904, Gilman & Yablunky J Am Chem Soc 62 665 1940, UV: Jaffé J Chem Phys 22 1430 1954, Beilstein 4 III 1841.]
