Room-temperature synthesis of bismuth clusters in ionic liquids and crystal growth of Bi5(AlCl4)3

Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review

Contributors

  • Ejaz Ahmed - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Daniel Köhler - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Michael Ruck - , Chair of Inorganic Chemistry II, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)

Abstract

The viability of Lewis-acid ionic liquids for the synthesis of low-valent bismuth compounds is demonstrated. At room temperature, elemental bismuth and bismuth(III) cations synproportionate in the ionic liquid [BMIM]Cl/AlCl 3 ([BMIM]+: 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium) within minutes. The existence of bismuth polycations in the dark colored solution was proven by Raman spectroscopy. Dark-red crystals of Bi5(AlCl4) 3 were isolated from the ionic liquid and characterized by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography (rhombohedral space-group R3c, a = 1187.1(2) pm, c = 3012.0(3) pm). The method allows the synthesis of bismuth cluster compounds under milder conditions than in high-temperature melts and more conveniently and environmental friendly than in liquid SO2 with strongly oxidizing, toxic agents like SbF5 or AsF5.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)297-300
Number of pages4
JournalZeitschrift fur Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie
Volume635
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2009
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-2391-6025/work/159171949

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Bismuth, Cluster compounds, Ionic liquids, Polycation

Library keywords