Reaction of RLi [R = CH(SiMe
3)
2] with BiCl
3 in a 2:1 ratio gives R
2BiCl (
1). RBiPh
2 isformed by the action of RMgCl on Ph
2BiCl. Reaction of RBiPh
2 with HCl in CHCl
3 givesRBiCl
2 (
2), which crystallizes from diethyl ether as the solvate
2·0.5Et
2O. The crystalstructures of
1 and
2·0.5Et
2O have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystals of
1 consistof pyramidal R
2BiCl molecules, whereas in crystals of
2·0.5Et
2O there are
![](/isubscribe/<font color=)
journals/orgnd7/18/i03/eqn/om9806444e10001.gif">{[RBi(Cl)Cl]
2·Et
2O}
x chains with chloro bridges. The diethyl ether molecules are weakly associatedto neighboring bismuth atoms in the chain.