Bismuthide

File:Bi3- anion.png

The bismuthide ion is {{chem2|Bi(3−)}} 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.{{cite book|author=E. Dönges|chapter=Phosphides, Arsenides, Antimonides and Bismuthides|title=Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry, 2nd Ed. |editor=G. Brauer|publisher=Academic Press|year=1963|place=NY,NY|volume=2pages=985}}

In terms of Bi-rich phases, examples are LiBi, KBi₂, CaBi₃, which exhibit strong Bi-Bi bonding.{{Greenwood&Earnshaw2nd|page =554}} 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.