Real-Time Observation of "soft" Magic-Size Clusters during Hydrolysis of the Model Metallodrug Bismuth Disalicylate

Daniel Szczerba, Davin Tan, Jean Louis Do, Hatem M. Titi, Siham Mouhtadi, Denis Chaumont, María Del Carmen Marco De Lucas, Nicolas Geoffroy, Michel Meyer, Yoann Rousselin, Jessica M. Hudspeth, Valérie Schwanen, Petra Spoerk-Erdely, Ann Christin Dippel, Oleh Ivashko, Olof Gutowski, Philipp Glaevecke, Vasilii Bazhenov, Mihails Arhangelskis, Ivan HalaszTomislav Friščić*, Simon A.J. Kimber*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Colloidal bismuth therapeutics have been used for hundreds of years, yet remain mysterious. Here we report an X-ray pair distribution function (PDF) study of the solvolysis of bismuth disalicylate, a model for the metallodrug bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol). This reveals catalysis by traces of water, followed by multistep cluster growth. The ratio of the two major species, {Bi9O7} and {Bi38O44}, depends on exposure to air, time, and the solvent. The solution-phase cluster structures are of significantly higher symmetry in comparison to solid-state analogues, with reduced off-center Bi3+ displacements. This explains why such "magic-size" clusters can be both stable enough to crystallize and sufficiently labile for further growth.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16332-16336
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume143
Issue number40
Early online date28 Sept 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Oct 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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