Synthesis and structural studies of the simplest bismuth(III) oxo-salicylate complex: [Bi4(μ3-O)2(HO-2-C6H4CO2)8]·2Solv (Solv = MeCN or MeNO2).

Reaction of BiPh3 with salicylic acid (HO-2-C6H4CO2H, H2Sal) at room temperature in wet acetonitrile or nitromethane leads to the facile formation of an oxo cluster compound with formula [Bi4(μ3-O)2(HSal)8] solvated by either MeCN and MeNO2 (1·2MeCN or 1·2MeNO2). This simple procedure affords a convenient, high yield (>80%) synthesis of a single bismuth oxo cluster. Both adducts exhibit a nearly planar Bi4(μ3-O)2 core.