bismuthine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Bismuthine (BiH₃) is highly unstable and decomposes readily, often producing metallic bismuth and hydrogen gas. In a laboratory setting, standard precautions for handling unstable, potentially pyrophoric gases apply.

Bismuthine (BiH₃) is the heaviest analogue of phosphine (PH₃) in Group 15. It is far less stable due to the weak Bi-H bonds and the inert pair effect of bismuth, making it much more reactive and difficult to isolate than phosphine.

You would only encounter this word in highly specialized chemical literature, such as research articles on main-group hydrides, organometallic chemistry of heavy elements, or advanced inorganic chemistry textbooks.

Not directly, due to its instability. However, organobismuthines (R₃Bi) have been investigated for niche applications in organic synthesis as precursors or reagents, though they are not widely used industrially compared to organophosphorus or organotin compounds.

A chemical compound containing bismuth in a -3 oxidation state, analogous to ammonia (NH₃). Specifically refers to BiH₃, the simplest binary hydride of bismuth.

Bismuthine is usually technical/scientific in register.

Bismuthine: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɪzmjʊθaɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɪzmjəˌθaɪn/ or /ˈbɪzməˌθaɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.