Bismuth Nitrate

Bismuth(III) nitrate is either encountered as the solid pentahydrate or as a solution. It is used in the synthesis of other bismuth compounds.^[2] It is available commercially. It is the only nitrate salt formed by a group 15 element, indicative of bismuths metallic nature.^[3]

Preparation and reactions

Bismuth nitrate can be prepared by the reaction of bismuth metal and concentrated nitric acid.^[4]

Bi + 4HNO₃ + Bi(NO₃)₃ + 2H₂O + NO

It dissolves in nitric acid but is readily hydrolysed to form a range of oxynitrates when the pH increases above 0.^[5]

It is also soluble in acetone, acetic acid and glycerol but practically insoluble in ethanol and ethyl acetate.^[6]

Some uses in organic synthesis have been reported for example the nitration of aromatic compounds and selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides.^[6] It is also used as to form Dragendorff reagent, which is used as a TLC stain.

Bismuth nitrate forms insoluble complexes with pyrogallol and cupferron and these have been the basis of gravimetric methods of determining bismuth content.^[7]

On heating bismuth nitrate can decompose forming nitrogen dioxide, NO₂.^[8]

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