Sulfonato-encapsulated bismuth(III) oxido-clusters from Bi2O3 in water under mild conditions

Treatment of Bi2O3 with the acids; S-(+)-10-camphorsulfonic, 2,4,6-mesitylenesulfonic and sulfamic, under sonication at room temperature in water for 2-4 h, results in the formation and subsequent crystallisation of polynuclear bismuth oxido-clusters; [Bi18O12(OH)(12)(O3S-Cam)(18)(H2O)(2)], [Bi38O45(O3S-Mes)(24)(H2O)(14)] and [Bi6O4(OH)(4)(O3SNH2)(6)].