A convenient in situ preparation of triphenyl bismuthane (tropon-2-yl)imide:: Reaction with heterocumulenes and activated alcohols

The first in situ preparation of triphenylbismuthane (tropon-2-yl)imide has been accomplished by the reaction of triphenylbismuth dichloride with 2-aminotropone. The imide is not isolated due to its moisture sensitivity, while it undergoes aza-Wittig type reaction with heterocumulenes leading to cyclohepta-annulated heterocycles in situ, and reacts also as an oxidizing agent of activated alcohols to give the corresponding carbonyl compounds under mild conditions.