bismuthin

Bismuthin is a hypothetical chemical compound with the formula BiH3. It is the lightest pnictogen hydride. Bismuthin is predicted to be a highly unstable and toxic gas, decomposing readily at room temperature. Its existence has not been definitively confirmed through experimental synthesis, though theoretical studies suggest it is a possible molecule. Like other pnictogen hydrides such as ammonia (NH3), phosphine (PH3), arsine (AsH3), and stibine (SbH3), bismuthin would be expected to exhibit pyramidal molecular geometry. The stability of pnictogen hydrides generally decreases down Group 15 of the periodic table, with bismuthin being the least stable. Research into bismuthin has primarily been theoretical, exploring its electronic structure, bonding, and potential spectroscopic properties. The challenges in synthesizing and isolating such a volatile and reactive compound contribute to the limited experimental data available. Despite its hypothetical nature, the study of bismuthin contributes to our understanding of chemical bonding and the trends observed in the chemistry of the heavier elements.