Synthesis of Ph.sub.3Bi.sub.2 Compounds with Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids and Use of Triphenylbismuth Dicrotonate in the Synthesis of Bismuth-Containing Polymers

Triphenylvismuth dicarboxylates Ph.sub.3Bi(O.sub.2CCH=CHMe).sub.2, Ph.sub.3Bi(O.sub.2CCH=CHPh).sub.2, Ph.sub.3Bi(O.sub.2CCH=CHC.sub.6H.sub.4NO.sub.2-m).sub.2, Ph.sub.3Bi(O.sub.2CCH=CHC.sub.4H.sub.3O).sub.2, Ph.sub.3Bi(O.sub.2CCH=CHC.sub.6H.sub.4OMe-p).sub.2, Ph.sub.3Bi(O.sub.2CCH=CHCH=CHMe).sub.2, Ph.sub.3Bi(O.sub.2CCH.sub.2CH=CH.sub.2).sub.2 were obtained by the reaction of triphenylvismuth with t-BuOOH and unsaturated carboxylic acids in yields of 43-90%. According to the X-ray data for Ph.sub.3Bi(O.sub.2CCH=CHMe).sub.2, Ph.sub.3Bi(O.sub.2CCH=CHPh).sub.2, Ph.sub.3Bi(O.sub.2CCH=CHC.sub.6H.sub.4NO.sub.2-m).sub.2, and Ph.sub.3Bi(O.sub.2CCH=CHC.sub.4H.sub.3O).sub.2, the coordination of the bismuth atom is intermediate between trigonal bipyramidal and tetragonal pyramidal. Close intermolecular contacts (3.648 Å) in the triphenylbismuth dicrotonate crystal, involving the C=C bonds of the crotonate fragments were revealed. Triphenylbismuth dicrotonate was used to synthesize transparent bismuth-containing poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene (1-5%). The molecular weight and X-ray and UV absorption characteristics of the polymers were determined.