The synthesis, structure, and reactions of (acylimino)triaryl-lambda(5)-bismuthanes and a comparative study of the structure and reactivity of a series of (acylimino)pnictoranes are reported. Treatment of ortho-substituted triarylbismuth dichlorides 1 (Ar(3)BiCl(2); Ar = 2-MeC(6)H(4), 2-MeOC(6)H(4), 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2)) with amides 2 (H(2)NCOR; R = CF(3), CCl(3), 3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)) in the presence of 2.2 equiv of KO-t-Bu in dichloromethane afforded (acylimino)triaryl-lambda(5)-bismuthanes 3 (Ar(3)Bi=NCOR) in yields of 77-96%. The ortho-substituted aryl ligands and the electron-withdrawing N-substituents afford kinetic and thermodynamic stabilization, respectively, to the reactive Bi=N bond. The structures and properties of a series of (acylimino)pnictoranes (Ar(3)M=NCOR and H(3)M=NCOCF(3); M = P, As, Sb, Bi) are compared by IR and (13)C and (15)N NMR, X-ray crystallography, and ab initio molecular orbital calculations. It was found that the contribution of the M(+)-N=C-O(-) canonical form becomes more prominent and the single-bond character of the M=N bond increases progressively as the pnictogen atom becomes heavier. The Bi=N bond of (acylimino)-lambda(5)-bismuthanes 3 possesses a highly polarized single-bond character, probably due to the differences in orbital size and electronegativity between the bismuth and nitrogen atoms. Thermal decomposition of (aroylimino)triaryl-lambda(5)-bismuthane 3f (o-Tol(3)Bi=NCOAr; Ar = 3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)) produces a gel in dry conditions or aniline 12 (ArNH(2)) in slightly wet conditions with a good recovery of tris(2-methylphenyl)bismuthane (4a). It is likely that the aryl isocyanate 13 (ArNCO) is produced during the thermolysis via a concerted C --> N migration of the Ar group with an elimination of the triarylbismuthonio group as bismuthane 4a. (Acylimino)triaryl-lambda(5)-bismuthanes 3 oxidize 1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethanediol, benzenethiol, methanol, and ethanol to benzophenone, diphenyl disulfide, methyl formate, and acetaldehyde, respectively, in two different reaction pathways depending on the structure of the substrates. Compound 3d (o-Tol(3)Bi=NCOCCl(3)) transfers the nitrenoid moiety to triphenylphosphane, triphenylarsane, and tris(2-methylphenyl)stibane to give the corresponding (acylimino)pnictoranes (Ar(3)M=NCOCl(3); M = P, As, Sb) and 4a, suggesting that 3d is thermodynamically much less stable than their lighter pnictogen counterparts. The copper-catalyzed decomposition of 3 (o-Tol(3)Bi=NCOR) afforded N-acyl-o-toluidines 18 (o-TolNHCOR) via a Bi --> N migration of the tolyl group. The observed reactivities of (acylimino)triaryl-lambda(5)-bismuthanes 3 demonstrate a good leaving ability of the bismuthonio group.

A systematic series of triarylbismuthane oxides was prepared in order to disclose their structure and reactivity, which have been compared with those of lighter pnictogen counterparts. X-ray crystallographic analysis of tris(2-methoxyphenyl)bismuthane oxide and tris(2-methoxyphenyl)stibane oxide revealed that they exist as dimers with a flat bis(µ-oxo) ring, implying that the polarized Bi + -Oand Sb + -Obonds aggregate to attain electrostatic stabilization. In sharp contrast to their phosphorus, arsenic, and antimony counterparts, triarylbismuthane oxides are thermally unstable and possess a high oxidizing ability. In particular, the bismuthane oxides bearing ortho-substituted aryl ligands oxidized primary and secondary alcohols to aldehydes and ketones, respectively, with high efficiency under mild conditions.