In their Dalton Transactions paper Hui Gao and Xian-Ming Zhang detail the synthesis of three new bismuth complexes, the preparation is under ambient conditions, using an environmentally friendly bismuth reagent and involves the in situ oxidation of dimethyl 1,4-cyclohexanedione-2,5-dicarboxylate. The authors propose an interesting reaction mechanism during complex formation, involving hydroxylation, condensation and oxidative cleavage, with two of the reactions producing in situ oxalate. Orange or red crystals were obtained from the experiments and the three complexes revealed to form diamond, brick-wall and herringbone nets. To read more about these interesting compounds, as well as the authors future plans in the preparation of molecular magnets, read the full article which is available free for 4 weeks.
Three novel Bi(III) complexes with in situ generated anilate ligands: unusual oxidation of cyclohexanedione to dihydroxy benzoquinone
Hui Gao and Xian-Ming Zhang
Dalton Trans., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C1DT11258A
