Bismuth(III) Chloride and Triflate - Novel Catalysts for Arylation and Sulphonation Reactions - Review

Bismuth is the heaviest stable element and by far the least toxic of the heavy metals, and is seen as an environmentally friendly reagent but not atom-economical unless used catalytically. A recent review (Le Roux C et al, SynLett, 2002, 181) summarises recent work on the use of bismuth compounds as catalysts for acylation and sulphonation of aromatics and in the acylation of alcohols. Examples are shown below.