Thanatad/sandbox
Names
IUPAC name
pentabismuth;oxygen(2-);nonahydroxide;tetranitrate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
DrugBank
MeSH bismuth+subnitrate
UNII
  • InChI=1S/5Bi.4NO3.9H2O.O/c;;;;;4*2-1(3)4;;;;;;;;;;/h;;;;;;;;;9*1H2;/q5*+3;4*-1;;;;;;;;;;-2/p-9
    Key: QGWDKKHSDXWPET-UHFFFAOYSA-E
  • [N+](=O)([O-])[O-].[N+](=O)([O-])[O-].[N+](=O)([O-])[O-].[N+](=O)([O-])[O-].[OH-].[OH-].[OH-].[OH-].[OH-].[OH-].[OH-].[OH-].[OH-].[O-2].[Bi+3].[Bi+3].[Bi+3].[Bi+3].[Bi+3]
Properties
Bi5H9N4O22 (Basic formula)
Molar mass 1461.99 g/mol
Density 1.79 g/mL (H2O)
Melting point Decomposes at 260
Boiling point Decomposes at 260
Insoluble
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Bismuth subnitrate monohydrate
Names
IUPAC name
oxobismuthanyl nitrate;hydrate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
  • InChI=1S/Bi.NO3.H2O.O/c;2-1(3)4;;/h;;1H2;/q+1;-1;;
    Key: HFJNHTDBULDRRH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • [N+](=O)([O-])O[Bi]=O.O
Properties
BiH2NO5 (Basic formula)
Molar mass 305 g/mol
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Dicarbonate
Names
IUPAC name
Carboxylato carbonate
Other names
Pyrocarbonate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
MeSH pyrocarbonate
  • InChI=1S/C2H2O5/c3-1(4)7-2(5)6/h(H,3,4)(H,5,6)/p-2
    Key: ZFTFAPZRGNKQPU-UHFFFAOYSA-L
  • C(=O)([O-])OC(=O)[O-]
Properties
C2O5-2 (Basic formula)
Molar mass 104.02 g/mol
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Composition

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Dragendroff's reagent is a solution of potassium bismuth iodide prepared from basic bismuth nitrate (Bi(NO3)3), tartaric acid, and potassium iodide (KI).

Preparation

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Dragendorff's reagent is prepared by mixing a concentrated solution of potassium iodide with a solution of bismuth subnitrate in a diluted acid (acetic acid or tartaric acid, hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid also rarely being used) as a low pH is mandatory for this reagent.

The formation is as follows: The black precipitate of bismuth iodide is formed from the reaction of bismuth ion and potassium iodide.

Bi3+
+ 3 KIBiI
3
+ 3 K+

Then, the reaction between bismuth ion and excess potassium iodide will produce a soluble complex of potassium tetraiodobismuthate which has an orange color.

Bi3+
+ KIK(BiI4)

Reaction

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Most of the alkaloids have a tertiary amine group, so the explanation for color reaction could be the following:

R3N + HX[R3NH]+ + X
(X = anions of acid)

Then the insoluble complex salt is formed from the reaction between ammonium salt and potassium tetraiodobismuthate.

[R3NH]+X + K[BiI4][R3NH]+[BiI4] + KX

This ion pair has different colors: yellow, orange, red, and brown, which depend on the nature of alkaloids.