The structure of the bismuth ethoxide ethanol solvate. A new structural type for octameric alkoxides

The octanuclear complex of bismuth ethoxide ethanol solvate, [Bi(OEt)3]8·(7+x)EtOH (1) has been isolated on crystallization from the ethanol solution of the products from the BiCl3 metathesis with NaOEt. The molecule of 1 is a [Bi8] cycle with a crown shape (analogous to that of S8 in the elementary sulfur), and is built up of seven [Bi(μ-OEt)4(OEt)] tetragonal pyramids and one [Bi(μ-OEt)4(OEt)(EtOH)] octahedron. The ring is surrounded by EtOH molecules forming hydrogen bonds with the terminal OEt-groups.