Bismuth compounds
In the United States, 2/3 of bismuth is used for pharmaceuticals,drugs or other chemical uses. The most common bismuth compound is bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol. Bismuth subsalicylate is a white, crystal-like power, or a fluffy, white solid. It is insoluble in water, and is stable in air, yet sensitive to light. It is not stable in alkaline solutions, and decomposes in boiling water, reverting into a more basic salt. Bismuth oxychloride, bismuth subcarbornate [(BiO)2CO3] and bismuth subnitrate [4BiNO3(OH)2BiO(OH)] are powers used in cosmetics.
Reactions
Bismuth reacts slowly with oxygen at room temperature. Bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) is what gives bismuth its pinkish or yellowish hue. Bismuth also reacts when red hot with water to form trioxide bismuth (lll) oxide, (Bi2O3). Bismuth also reacts with most acids. Bismuth can be dissolved in concentrated sulphuric acid, H2SO4, or nitric acid, HWO3, to form solutions containing Bi (lll). The reaction with sulphuric acid produces sulphur dioxide gas and with hydrochloric acid in the presence of oxygen, bismuth chloride is formed.
This Video is of the synthesis of Bismuth Nitrate and Bismuth Oxide