Synthesis of Functional Polymers Possessing Bismuth, the Heaviest Stable Element

Abstract

Although all the isotopes of bismuth are radioactive, the most abundant 209Bi can serve as a stable isotope owing to its very long half-life. Bismuth is an attractive heavy element for inorganic components of organic–inorganic hybrid materials. As an element, bismuth exhibits unique features such as high atomic refractivity, X-ray shielding property, and heavy atom effect. Furthermore, typical bismuth compounds are less toxic and inexpensive. However, appropriate molecular designs are necessary for the synthesis of bismuth-containing polymers with sufficient stability, as typical Bi–C bonds are weak. In this review, we survey research on the synthesis of functional bismuth-containing polymers. These bismuth-containing polymers exhibit excellent and unique properties such as high refractive index, X-ray shielding property, and phosphorescence.