Bismuth(III) benzohydroxamates: powerful anti-bacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori and hydrolysis to a unique Bi34 oxido-cluster [Bi34O22(BHA)22(H-BHA)14(DMSO)6].

Reaction of BiPh3 or Bi(O(t)Bu)3 with benzohydroxamic acid (H2-BHA) results in formation of novel mono- and di-anionic hydroxamato complexes; [Bi2(BHA)3]∞ 1, [Bi(H-BHA)3] 2, [Bi(BHA)(H-BHA)] 3, all of which display nM activity against Helicobacter pylori. Subsequent dissolution of [Bi2(BHA)3]∞ in DMSO/toluene results in hydrolysis to the first structurally authenticated {Bi34} oxido-cluster [Bi34O22(BHA)22(H-BHA)14(DMSO)6] 4.