Bismuthide

The bismuthide ion is Bi³⁻ but the term is often used to describe less reduced forms of bismuth.

Bismuthides are compounds of bismuth with more electropositive elements. A wide variety are known.

The stoichiometry of bismuthides ranges from lithium bismuthide (Li₃Bi), which can be viewed as the Li⁺ salt of Bi^3-. The corresponding sodium and potassium derivatives are also known. They all prepared by heating the elements.^[1]

In terms of Bi-rich phases, examples are LiBi, KBi₂, CaBi₃, which exhibit strong Bi-Bi bonding.^[2] Some are intermetallic compounds, containing partially metallic and partially ionic bonds. The majority of bismuthides adopt efficient packing arrangements and become densely packed structures, which is a characteristic of intermetallic compounds.