Making bispirin: synthesis, structure and activity against Helicobacter pylori of bismuth(III) acetylsalicylate.

Reaction of Bi(O(t)Bu)3 with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid = aspH) in dry toluene results in the bismuth(III) complex, [Bi(O2C(C6H4)OAc)3]∞ 1 (O2C(C6H4)OAc = asp), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Helicobacter pylori ≥ 6.25 μg mL(-1), while the inclusion of a stoichiometric equivalent of KO(t)Bu leads to crystals of the bismuthate salt [KBi(O2C(C6H4)OAc)4]∞ 2.