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Bismuthine

Bismuthine
Skeletal formula of bismuthine
Skeletal formula of bismuthine
Spacefill model of bismuthine
Spacefill model of bismuthine
  Bismuth, Bi
  Hydrogen, H
Names
IUPAC name
bismuthane
Other names
bismuth trihydride
hydrogen bismuthide
bismine
trihydridobismuth
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
UNII
  • InChI=1S/Bi.3H ☒N
    Key: BPBOBPIKWGUSQG-UHFFFAOYSA-N ☒N
  • InChI=1/Bi.3H/rBiH3/h1H3
    Key: BPBOBPIKWGUSQG-PVKOQVOWAF
  • [BiH3]
Properties
BiH3
Molar mass 212.00 g/mol
Appearance colourless gas
Density 0.008665 g/mL (20 °C)
Boiling point 16.8 °C (62.2 °F; 289.9 K) (extrapolated)
Conjugate acid Bismuthonium
Structure
trigonal pyramidal
Related compounds
Related hydrides
 Ammonia
Phosphine
Arsine
Stibine
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Bismuthine (IUPAC name: bismuthane) is the chemical compound with the formula BiH3. As the heaviest analogue of ammonia (a pnictogen hydride), BiH3 is unstable, decomposing to bismuth metal well below 0 °C. This compound adopts the expected pyramidal structure with H–Bi–H angles of around 90°.[1]

The term bismuthine may also refer to a member of the family of organobismuth(III) species having the general formula BiR
3, where R is an organic substituent. For example, Bi(CH3)3 is trimethylbismuthine.

Preparation and properties

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BiH3 is prepared by the redistribution of methylbismuthine (BiH2Me):[2]

3 BiH2Me → 2 BiH3 + BiMe3

The required BiH2Me, which is also thermally unstable, is generated by reduction of methylbismuth dichloride, BiCl2Me with LiAlH4.[1]

As suggested by the behavior of SbH3, BiH3 is unstable and decomposes to its constituent elements according to the following equation:

2 BiH3 → 3 H2 + 2 Bi  (ΔHo
f(gas) = −278 kJ/mol)

The methodology used for detection of arsenic ("Marsh test") can also be used to detect BiH3. This test relies on the thermal decomposition of these trihydrides to the metallic mirrors of reduced As, Sb, and Bi. These deposits can be further distinguished by their distinctive solubility characteristics: arsenic dissolves in NaOCl, antimony dissolves in ammonium polysulfide, and bismuth resists both reagents.[2]

Uses and safety considerations

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The low stability of BiH3 precludes significant health effects, it decomposes rapidly well below room temperature.

References

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  1. ^ a b W. Jerzembeck; H. Bürger; L. Constantin; L. Margulès; J. Demaison; J. Breidung; W. Thiel (2002). "Bismuthine BiH3: Fact or Fiction? High-Resolution Infrared, Millimeter-Wave, and Ab Initio Studies". Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 41 (14): 2550–2552. doi:10.1002/1521-3773(20020715)41:14<2550::AID-ANIE2550>3.0.CO;2-B. PMID 12203530. Archived from the original on 2013-01-05.
  2. ^ a b Holleman, A. F.; Wiberg, E. "Inorganic Chemistry" Academic Press: San Diego, 2001.ISBN 0-12-352651-5.