Synthesis of mono-, di-, and triaminobismuthanes and observation of C–C coupling of aromatic systems with bismuth(<scp>iii</scp>) chloride

The reaction of lithium N-trimethylsilyl-amides of the type RN(SiMe3)Li with bismuth(iii) chloride yielded mono-, di- or triaminobismuthanes depending on the sterical demand of the anilide ligand R and the used stoichiometry. For the bulky Mes* substituent the reaction with BiCl3 resulted in the formation of a C-C coupling product as the main product besides a small amount of the expected Mes*N(SiMe3)BiCl2.