All manipulations were carried out using standard
inert-atmosphere techniques. Solvents were purchased
anhydrous from Aldrich and used without further drying.
Bismuth oxide (Alfa 99.99%) was twice covered
with glacial acetic acid in an open Schlenk flask and
boiled to near-dryness under flowing nitrogen. During
the first heating the pale yellow oxide suspension
became milky white, and during the second a colorless
solution was obtained. Drying was completed under
vacuum. The resulting white crystalline solid was dissolved
in 2-methoxyethanol (2MOE) with heating to
WC, producing a clear, faintly yellow solution ( 1.2 g
Bi,03/25 ml 2MOE) which could be cooled to room
temperature. On standing for l-2 h a white semisolid,
which occupied the entire solvent volume, appeared. A
clear solution was re-obtained on warming or stirring.
More dilute preparations remained clear at room temperature
for periods up to several days. Samples of
B&O3 were treated similarly in air; however, they were
not soluble in 2MOE.