Bismuth-containing catalyst with heteroatoms-bearing dicarboxylate ligand

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (R1)2-(R2)-(Bi)3+ (I), wherein (R1)2- is a dianion of formula (II*), wherein A is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted linear C3-30-alkylene, wherein at least two not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-30-alkylene are replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, 5 NH, N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl and N-C7-30-aralkyl, wherein alkyl and aryl fragments of N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl, N-C7-30-aralkyl may at least be monosubstituted by hydroxyl, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH- phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, to process for the preparation of the bismuth containing catalyst, to a process for the preparation of a compound, oligomer or polymer comprising at least one urethane group using the bismuth-containing catalyst, to a composition comprising (i) at least one monoalcohol (B1) or polyol (B2), (ii) at least one polyisocyanate (A) and (iii) the bismuth-containing catalyst, to a coating or adhesive layer formed from the composition on a substrate, to a foam formed from the composition, and to the use of the bismuth-containing catalyst in for preparing compounds, oligomers or polymers comprising a urethane group, as esterification and transesterification catalyst and as catalyst for ring-opening polymerizations of lactones and epoxides.

Description

Bismuth-containing catalyst with heteroatoms-bearing dicarboxylate ligand Description The present invention relates to a bismuth-containing catalyst, to processes for the preparation of the bismuth-containing catalyst, to a process for the preparation of a compound, oligomer or polymer comprising at least one urethane group using the bismuth-containing catalyst, to a composition comprising (i) at least one monoalcohol (B1) or polyol (B2), (ii) at least one polyisocyanate (A) and (iii) the bismuth-containing catalyst, to a coating or adhesive layer formed from the composition on a substrate, to a foam formed from the composition and to the use of the bismuth-containing catalyst as catalyst for preparing compounds, oligomers or polymers comprising a urethane group, as esterification and transesterification catalyst and as catalyst for ring-opening polymerizations of lactones and epoxides. Compounds, oligomers or polymers comprising at least one urethane group are usually prepared from at least monoalcohol or polyol with at least one polyisocyanate in the presence of a catalyst. The use of tin-containing catalysts in the formation of urethane groups is already known for a long time. Although tin-containing catalysts exhibit very high catalytic activity in such reactions, their use, especially the use of alkyl-tin compounds, should be avoided due to their toxicity. WO2018069018 describes the formation of urethane groups using a catalyst comprising a) at least a bismuth salt of an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having at least 4 carbon atoms and b) at least a metal salt of an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having at least 4 carbon atoms, wherein the metal is magnesium, sodium, potassium or calcium. WO2020160939 describes the formation of urethane groups using a bismuth-containing catalyst comprising an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, which aliphatic monocarboxylic acid carries at least one aryl group substituent at the alpha carbon. The known bismuth-containing catalysts do, however, show poor catalytic activity in the formation of urethane groups, when the catalyst was in contact with water either before the urethane group forming reaction and / or during the urethane group forming reaction. Usually already traces of water, for example 0.01 to 10 weight% water based on the weight of the reaction mixture, are already sufficient to cause a poor catalytic activity. Contact with water before the urethane group forming reaction can occur, for example, when the container containing the catalyst was opened one or more times, for example to take out catalyst to be used in other reactions, and by doing so the catalyst was contaminated with humidity of the air.  Contact with water during the urethane group forming reaction can, for example, occur, when the solvents, the starting materials such as monoalcohols or polyols, or other ingredients used in the reaction already contain water, even only traces of water. Usually starting materials, solvents and other ingredients are used “as is”, as one or more water-removal, or also so-called “drying”, steps before the urethane group forming reaction are additional process steps and thus not attractive from a commercial point of view. Sometimes a drying step is even technically not feasible, for example the drying of many polyester polyols on large scale is technically not feasible. It was the object of the present invention to provide a bismuth-containing catalyst which shows a high catalytic activity in the formation of urethane groups, when the catalyst was in contact with traces of water before and / or during the urethane group forming reaction. This object is solved by the catalyst of claims 1, the processes of claims 10, 12 and 13, the composition of claim 14, the layer of claim 15, the foam of claim 16, and the uses of claims 17, 18 and 19. The catalyst of the present invention is a bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (R1)2-(R2)-(Bi)3+ (I) wherein(R1)2- is a dianion of formula  wherein R3, R4, R5 and R6 are mutually independently an unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C1-30-alkyl, C6-14-aryl or C7-30-aralkyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM1, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M1 is H or metal and A is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted linear C3-30-alkylene, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM2, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M2 is H or metalandwherein at least two not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-C30-alkylene are replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, NH, N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl and N-C7-30-aralkyl, wherein alkyl and aryl fragments of N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl, N-C7-30-aralkyl may at least be monosubstituted by hydroxyl, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl,   and (R2)- is a HO-, R8-O-, a halide anion, a HO-C(=O)-O-, a R9-S- or an anion of formula  whereinR7, R8 and R9 are an organic residue. C1-6-alkyl, C1-12-alkyl, C1-30-alkyl, C3-20-alkyl and C3-30-alkyl can be branched or linear. Examples of C1-6-alkyl are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl and n-hexyl. Examples of C1-12-alkyl are C1-6-alkyl and n-heptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 1,1-dimethyl-3,3-dimethylbutyl, n-nonyl, decyl, neodecyl, n-undecyl and n-dodecyl. Examples of C1-30-alkyl are C1-12-alkyl and tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl and eicosyl. Examples of C3-20-alkyl and C3-30-alkyl are propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 1,1-dimethyl-3,3-dimethylbutyl, n-nonyl, decyl, neodecyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl and eicosyl.  Examples of C6-14-aryl are phenyl, 1-naphthyl and 2-naphthyl. An example of C7-30-aralkyl is benzyl. Examples of linear C3-30-alkylene are propylene, butylene, pentylene, hexylene, heptylene, octylene, nonylene, decylene, undecylene and dodecylene. Examples of linear C5-20-alkylene are pentylene, hexylene, heptylene, octylene, nonylene, decylene, undecylene and dodecylene. Examples of linear unsubstituted C3-30-alkylene, wherein at least two not adjacent CH2 groups are replaced by O are .  Examples of halide anions are fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide.  In preferred bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I) at least one, preferably at least two and more preferably at least three of R3, R4, R5 or R6 and most preferably each of R3, R4, R5 and R6 is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C6-14-aryl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM1, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M1 is H or metal. In more preferred bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I) at least one, preferably at least two and more preferably at least three of R3, R4, R5 or R6 and most preferably each of R3, R4, R5 and R6 is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted phenyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM1, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M1 is H or metal. In even more preferred bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I) at least one, preferably at least two and more preferably at least three of R3, R4, R5 or R6 and most preferably each of R3, R4, R5 and R6 is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted phenyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl and C1-30-alkyl, and the alkyl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -S-C1-6-alkyl or -O-C1-6-alkyl. In most preferred bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I) at least one, preferably at least two and more preferably at least three of R3, R4, R5 or R6 is phenyl, and most preferably each of R3, R4, R5 and R6 is phenyl.  A is preferably unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted linear C3-30-alkylene, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen,-C(=O)-OM2, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M2 is H or metal, andwherein two, three, four or five not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-30-alkylene are replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O and S, preferably by O. A is more preferably unsubstituted linear C5-20-alkylene, wherein two, three or four not adjacent CH2 groups of C5-20-alkylene are replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O and S, preferably by O. A is even more preferably selected from the group consisting of  .  A is in particular selected from the group consisting of  .   Most preferred (R1)2- is .  (R2)- is preferably HO-, R8-O-, Cl-, a HO-C(=O)-O-, R9-S- or an anion of formula  whereinR7,R8 and R9 are unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C3-30-alkyl, C6-14-aryl or C7-30-aralkyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM3, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM3, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl, O-phenyl or C1-6-alkyl, wherein M3 is H or metal, and wherein one CH2 group or at least two not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-C30-alkyl can be replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, NH, N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl and N-C7-30-aralkyl, wherein alkyl and aryl fragments of N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl, N-C7-30-aralkyl may at least be monosubstituted by -OH halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl. Examples anions of formula (III*) are n-propionate, isopropionate, n-butanoate, isobutanoate, sec-butanoate, tert-butanoate, n-pentanoate, neopentanoate, n-hexanoate, n-heptanoate, n-octanoate, 2-ethyl-hexanoate, n-decanoate, neodecanoate, 2,2-diphenyl decanoate and   wherein M3 is H or metal.  (R2)- is more preferably an anion of formula wherein R7 is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C3-30-alkyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM3, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM1, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl, O-phenyl or C-1-6-alkyl, wherein M3 is H or metal, and wherein one CH2 group or at least two not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-30-alkyl can be replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, NH, N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl and N-C7-30-aralkyl, wherein alkyl and aryl fragments of N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl, N-C7-30-aralkyl can at least be monosubstituted by -OH halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl.  (R2)- is even more preferably an anion of formula   wherein R7 is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C3-30-alkyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting -C(=O)-OM3 and C6-14-aryl, and the aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl and C1-6-alkyl, wherein M3 is H or metal, andwherein one CH2 group or at least two not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-30-alkyl can be replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O and S.  (R2)- is even more preferably an anion of formula  wherein R7 is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C3-30-alkyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting -C(=O)-OM3and phenyl, andwherein one CH2 group or at least two not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-30-alkyl can be replaced by a O. (R2)- is most preferably an anion of formula   wherein R7 is unsubstituted C3-20-alkyl.  (R2)-is in particular neodecanoate.  Examples of M1, M2, and M3 are lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. M1, M2 and M3 are preferably lithium, sodium and potassium.   Also part of the present invention is a process for preparing the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (R1)2-(R2)-(Bi)3+ (I) wherein(R1)2- is a dianion of formula wherein R3, R4, R5 and R6 are mutually independently an unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C1-30-alkyl, C6-14-aryl or C7-30-aralkyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM1, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M1 is H or metal and A is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted linear C3-30-alkylene, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM2, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M2 is H or metal, andwherein at least two not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-C30-alkylene are replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, NH, N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl and N-C7-30-aralkyl, wherein alkyl and aryl fragments of N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl, N-C7-30-aralkyl may at least be monosubstituted by hydroxyl, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl,  and (R2)- is a HO-, R8-O-, a halide anion, a HO-C(=O)-O-, a R9-S- or an anion of formula whereinR7, R8 and R9 are an organic residue, which process comprises the step of reacting at least one compound of a formula  wherein R3, R4, R5 und R6 are as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I), or a corresponding salt thereof,  optionally at least H2O, R8-OH, hydrogen halide, a HO-C(=O)-OH, R9-SH or a compound of formulawherein R7, R8 and R9 are as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I), or a corresponding salt thereof, and at least one bismuth-containing compound selected from the group consisting of Bi2O3, bismuth carbonate, bismuth hydrogencarbonate, bismuth halide, Bi(O-R8)3, Bi(S-R9)3, Bi(O-C(=O)-R7)3, Bi(C6-C14-aryl)3, Bi(C1-C12-alkyl)3 and metallic Bi, wherein R7, R8 and R9 are as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I).  The corresponding salt thereof can be, for example the corresponding lithium, sodium or potassium salt.The bismuth-containing compound is preferably selected from the group consisting of Bi2O3, BiCl3, Bi(O-R8)3, Bi(O-C(=O)-R7)3, BiPh3 and metallic Bi. wherein R7, R8 and R9 are as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I). Also part of the present invention is a process for preparing the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (R1)2-(R2)-(Bi)3+ (I#) wherein(R1)2- is a dianion of formula wherein R3, R4, R5 and R6 are mutually independently an unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C1-30-alkyl, C6-14-aryl or C7-30-aralkyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM1, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M1 is H or metal and A is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted linear C3-30-alkylene, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM2, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M2 is H or metal, andwherein at least two not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-C30-alkylene are replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, NH, N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl and N-C7-30-aralkyl, wherein alkyl and aryl fragments of N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl, N-C7-30-aralkyl may at least be monosubstituted by hydroxyl, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl,  and (R2)- is an anion of formulawhereinR7is an organic residue, which process comprises the step of reacting either a)at least one compound of a formula  wherein R3, R4, R5 und R6 are as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I#), or a corresponding salt thereof,  and optionally at least one compound of formulawherein R7 is as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I#), or a corresponding salt thereof, and at least one bismuth-containing compound selected from the group consisting of Bi(C6-C14-aryl)3 and Bi(C1-C12-alkyl)3,or  b)at least one compound of a formula  wherein R3, R4, R5 und R6 are as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I#), or a corresponding salt thereof,  and at least one Bi(O-C(=O)-R7)3, wherein R7 is as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I#). Reaction a) is usually performed in at least one organic solvent. Examples of organic solvents suitable for reaction a) are aromatic hydrocarbons and ethers. Examples of aromatic hydrocarbons are toluene, xylene, mesitylene and benzene. Examples of ethers are dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol diethyl ether, ethylene glycol dipropyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, propylene glycol diethyl ether, propylene glycol dipropyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether. The organic solvent for reaction a) is preferably selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran and toluene. Reaction a) is usually performed at elevated temperatures such as at temperatures in the range of 60 to 150°C, preferably in the range of 80 to 130°C. If at least one compound of formula (II) and at least one bismuth-containing compound selected from the group consisting of Bi(C6-C14-aryl)3 and Bi(C1-C12-alkyl)3 are reacted with each other in reaction a), the molar ratio of compound of formula (II) / bismuth-containing compound is usually in the range of 2.0 / 1.0 to 3.0 / 1.0. If at least one compound of formula (II), at least one compound of formula (III) and at least one bismuth-containing compound selected from the group consisting of Bi(C6-C14-aryl)3 and Bi(C1-C12-alkyl)3 are reacted with each other in the reaction a), the molar ratio of compound of formula (II) / compound of formula (III) is usually in the range of 0.5 / 1.0 to 4.0 / 1.0 , preferably in the range of 0.8 / 1.0 to 1.2 / 1.0, and the molar ratio of compound of formula (II) and at least one compound of formula (III) / bismuth-containing compound is usually in the range of 1.5 / 1.0 to 3.0 / 1.0, preferably in the range of 1.8 / 1.0 to 2.2 / 1.0. When reaction a) is completed, volatiles can be removed, for example by distillation.The obtained catalyst can be further purified by recrystallization. Reaction b) is usually performed in at least one organic solvent. Examples of organic solvents suitable for the reaction of version b) are alcohols such as ethanol and 2-ethylhexanol. Reaction b) is usually performed at ambient temperatures such as at temperatures in the range of 10 to 35°C, preferably in the range of 15 to 30°C. The molar ratio of compound of a formula (II) / Bi(O-C(=O)-R7)3 in reaction b) is usually in the range of 0.5 / 1.0 to 4.0 / 1.0, and preferably in the range of 0.8 / 1.0 to 1.2 / 1.0. When reaction b) is completed, the reaction mixture can be used “as is”.  The compounds of formula   wherein R3, R4, R5 and R6 and A are as defined above, can be prepared by methods known in the art.  The compounds of formula    wherein A is as defined above, can, for example, be prepared by reacting compound of formula with a compound auf formulawherein A is as defined above. Usually the compound of formula (IV), usually dissolved in an organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, is treated with a strong base such as n-butyl lithium at a temperature in the range of -80 to 0 °C, preferably in the range of -20 to -10 °C, followed by slow addition of the compound of formula (V) at temperature in the range of -80 to 0 °C, preferably in the range of -60 to -30 °C. After addition of the compound of formula (V) the reaction mixture is usually allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred at room temperature for about 6 to 24 hours. The reaction can be terminated by addition of an acid such as HCl. The molar ratio of n-butyl lithium to compound of formula (IV) is usually in the range of 1.8 / 1.0 to 2.6 / 1.0. The molar ratio of compound of formula (V) to compound of formula (IV) is usually in the range of 0.3 / 1 to 0.7 / 1.0.  Also part of the present invention is a process for the preparation of a compound, oligomer or polymer comprising at least one urethane group, which process comprises the step of reacting at least one monoalcohol (B1) or polyol (B2) with at least one polyisocyanate (A) in the presence of the bismuth-containing catalyst of the present invention. Monoalcohols (B1) have an OH functionality of below 1.5.Polyols (B2) have an OH functionality of at least 1.5. The OH functionality is (hydroxyl number polyol or monoalcohol [g KOH / g] x molecular weight polyol or monoalcohol) / molecular weight KOH. If the polyol or monoalcohol is an oligomer or polymer, the number average molecular weight of the polyol or monoalcohol is used, which can be determined using gel permeation chromatography calibrated to a polystyrene standard. The molecular weight of KOH is 56 g / mol. The hydroxyl number can be determined according to DIN53240, 2016. Monoalcohols (B1) and polyols (B2), respectively, can be compounds, oligomers or polymers. Examples monoalcohols (B1) are ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, sec-butanol, tert-butanol, n-pentanol, neopentanol, n-hexanol, n-heptanol, n-octanol, 2-ethyl-hexanol, n-decanol and neodecanol. Further examples of monoalcohols (B1) are the methyl and ethyl monoesters of (ethylene glycol), tri(ethylene glycol), di(propylene glycol) and tri(propylene glycol). Further examples of monoalcohols (B1) are benzylalcohol and cyclohexanol. Examples of polyols (B2) are diols such ethylene glycol, propane-1,2-diol, propane-1,3-diol, butane-1,2-diol, butane-1,3-diol, butane-1,4-diol, butane-2,3-diol, pentane-1,2-diol, pentane-1,3-diol, pentane-1,4-diol, pentane-1,5-diol, pentane-2,3-diol, pentane-2,4-diol, hexane-1,2-diol, hexane-1,3-diol, hexane-1,4-diol, hexane-1,5-diol, hexane-1,6-diol, hexane-2,5-diol, heptane-1,2-diol, heptane-1,7-diol, octane-1,8-diol, octane-1,2-diol, nonane-1,9-diol, decane-1,2-diol, decane-1,10-diol, dodecane-1,2-diol, dodecane-1,12-diol, hexa-1,5-diene-3,4-diol, neopentyl glycol, 2-methyl-pentane-2,4-diol, 2,4-dimethyl-pentane-2,4-diol, 2-ethyl-hexane-1,3-diol, 2,5-dimethyl-hexane-2,5-diol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-pentane-1,3-diol, pinacol and hydroxypivalinic acid neopentyl glycol ester. Further examples of polyols (B2) are diols such as are di(ethylene glycol), tri(ethylene glycol), di(propylene glycol) and tri(propylene glycol). Further examples polyols (B2) are triols such as glycerol, trimethylolmethane, 1,1,1-trimethylolethane, 1,1,1-trimethylolpropane, 1,2,4-butanetriol and 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate and condensates thereof with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and / or butylene oxide.  Further examples of polyols (B2) are pentaerythritol, diglycerol, triglycerole, condensates of at least four glycerols, di(trimethylolpropane), di(pentaerythritol), and condensates thereof with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and / or butylene oxide.  Examples of polyols (B2) are diols such as 1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)-cyclohexane, 1,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-cyclohexane, 1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-cyclohexane, 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)-cyclohexane, 1,1-bis(hydroxyethyl)-cyclohexane, 1,2-bis(hydroxyethyl)-cyclohexane, 1,3-bis(hydroxyethyl)-cyclohexan, 1,4-bis(hydroxyethyl)-cyclohexane, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutandiol, cyclopentane-1,2-diol, cyclopentane-1,3-diol, 1,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) cyclopentane, 1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl) cyclopentane, cyclohexane-1,2-diol, cyclohexane-1,3-diol, cyclohexane-1,4-diol, cycloheptane-1,3-diol and cycloheptane-1,4-diol and cycloheptane-1,2-diol.  Further examples of polyols (B2) are inositol, sugars such as glucose, fructose and sucrose, sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol, threitol, erythritol, adonitol (ribitol), arabitol (lyxitol), xylitol, dulcitol (galactitol), malitol and isomalt, as well as tris(hydroxymethyl)amine, tris(hydroxyethyl)amine and tris(hydroxypropyl)amine.  Further examples of polyols (B2) are also polyurethane polyols, acrylic polymeric polyols, hybrids of polyurethane polyol and acrylic polymeric polyol, polyester polyols, polycarbonate polyols, polyether polyols, polythioether polyols and polyacrylate polyols. Polyurethane polyols are polymeric polyols comprising urethane linkages. Polyurethane polyols are usually obtained by reaction of diols with diisocyanates. The diol can be a polyester diol, acrylic polymer diol, polycarbonate diol or polyetherdiol. Polyurethane polyols may comprise further linking groups in the main chain in lower number than the number of urethane groups such as ester, ether, thioether or urethane linkages.  Acrylic polymeric polyols are polymeric polyols obtainable by radical polymerization from polymerizable unsaturated monomers carrying OH groups such as 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl (meth) acrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate and (meth)allyl alcohol, and polymerizable unsaturated monomers comprising acrylic acid esters or methacrylic acid esters and optionally other polymerizable unsaturated monomers, by methods known in the art such as emulsion polymerization. Examples of other polymerizable unsaturated monomers are polymerizable unsaturated monomers carrying acidic groups such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, maleic anhydride, citraconic anhydride and itaconic anhydride. Hybrids of polyurethane polyol and acrylic polymer polyol can be obtained, for example, by preparing the acrylic polymer polyol as described above, but in the presence of a polyurethane polyol. Polyester polyols are polymeric polyols comprising monomers linked via an ester linkage. Polyester polyols are usually obtained by an esterification reaction or transesterification reaction of a component carrying two acidic groups and a diol. Polyester polyols may comprise further linking groups in the main chain in lower number than the number of ester groups such as amide, urea, carbonate, ether, thioether or urethane linking groups. Polycarbonate polyols are polymeric polyols comprising carbonate linkages. Polycarbonate polyols are usually obtained by reaction of carbonates with diols such as butan-1,4-diol, pentane-1,5-diol and hexane-1,6-diol. Polycarbonate polyols may comprise further linking groups in the main chain in lower number than the number of carbonate groups such as ester, amide, urea, ether, thioether or urethane linkages.  Polyether polyols are polymeric polyols comprising ether linkages. Polyether polyols are usually prepared by acid catalyzed polymerization of ethers such as ethyleneoxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide or tetrahydrofuran using an alcohol. Polyether poyols may comprise further linking groups in the main chain in lower number than the number of ether groups such as ester, amide, urea, carbonate, thioether or urethane linkages.  Polythioether polyols are polymeric polyols comprising thioether groups in the main chain of the polymer. Polythioether polyols may comprise further linking groups in the main chain in lower number than the number of thio ether groups such as ester, carbonate, ether or urethane groups.  Polyisocyanates (A)can be polyisocyanates carrying free NCO groups (A1) or polyisocyanatescarrying blocked NCO groups, so-called “blocked polyisocyanates” (A2). Polyisocyanates carrying blocked NCO groups (A2) can be de-blocked to yield the corresponding polyisocyanate carrying free NCO groups (A2*) under specific conditions, for example at elevated temperatures, such as at temperatures above 110°C. The following characteristics of polyisocyanates (A) apply to the polyisocyanates carrying free NCO groups (A1) as well as to the polyisocyanates carrying free NCO groups (A2*) obtained by de-blocking the blocked polyisocyanates(A2). Polyisocyanates (A)have an NCO functionality of at least 1.5. The NCO functionality of a polyisocyanate is NCO content x (molecular weight polyisocyanate / molecular weight NCO). If the polyisocyanate is a polymeric polyisocyanate, the average weight molecular weight of the polyisocyanate is used. The average weight molecular weight of a polymeric polyisocyanate can be determined using gel permeation chromatography calibrated to a polystyrene standard. The NCO content of the polyisocyanate is weight NCO / weight polyisocyanate. The molecular weight of NCO is 42 g / mol. The NCO content of a polyisocyanate can be determined as follows: 10 mL of a 1 N solution of n-dibutyl amine in xylene is added to 1 g of a polisocyanate dissolved in 100 mL of N-methylpyrrolidone. The resulting mixture is stirred at room temperature for five minutes. Then, the resulting reaction mixture is subjected to back titration using 1 N hydrochloric acid to measure the volume of the hydrochloric acid needed for neutralizing the unreacted n-dibutyl amine. This then reveals how much mol n-dibutyl amine reacted with NCO groups. The NCO content is (“mol reacted n-dibutyl amine” x molecular weight NCO) / weight polyisocyanate. The weight of polyisocyanate is 1 g. Polyisocyanate (A) can be a monomeric or polymeric polyisocyanate. Examples of monomeric polyisocyanates (A) are tetramethylene 1,4-diisocyanate, pentamethylene 1,5-diisocyanate, hexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate, heptamethylene 1,7-diisocyanate, octamethylene 1,8-diisocyanate, decamethylene 1,10-diisocyanate, dodecamethylene 1,12-diisocyanate, tetradecamethylene 1,14-diisocyanate, methyl 2,6-diisocyanatohexanoate, ethyl 2,6-diisocyanatohexanoate, 2,2,4-trimethylhexane 1,6diisocyanate and 2,4,4-trimethylhexane 1,6-diisocyanate.  Further examples of monomeric polyisocyanates are 1,4,8-triisocyanatononane and 2’isocyanatoethyl 2,6diisocyanatohexanoate. Examples of monomeric polyisocyanates are 1,4-diisocyanatocyclohexane, 1,3-diisocyanatocyclohexane, 1,2-diisocyanatocyclohexane, 4,4’- di(isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane, 2,4’-di(isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane, 1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane (isophorone diisocyanate), 1,3- bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane, 1,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane, 2,4- diisocyanato1-methylcyclohexane, 2,6diisocyanato1-methylcyclohexane and 3(or 4),8(or 9)-bis (isocyanatomethyl)tricyclo[5.2.1.0(2,6)]decane. Examples of monomeric polyisocyanates are 2,4tolylene diisocyanate, 2,6-tolylene diisocyanate, m-xylylene diisocyanate, p-xylylene diisocyanate, 2,4’-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane, 4,4’-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane, 1,3-phenylene diisocyanate,1,4phenylene diisocyanate, 1-chloro-2,4-phenylene diisocyanate, 1,5-naphthylene diisocyanate, diphenylene 4,4’-diisocyanate, 4,4’-diisocyanato-3,3’-dimethylbiphenyl, 3methyldiphenylmethane 4,4’-diisocyanate, tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate, 1,4-diisocyanatobenzene and diphenyl ether 4,4’-diisocyanate. Further examples of monomeric polyisocyanates are 2,4,6-triisocyanatotoluene, triphenylmethane triisocyanate and 2,4,4’-triisocyanatodiphenyl ether. Examples of polymeric polyisocyanate are polymers having an NCO functionality of at least 1.5 and comprising at least two units derived from monomeric polyisocyanates. Polymeric polyisocyanates can also comprise at least one structural unit selected from the group consisting of uretdione, isocyanurate, biuret, urea, carbodiimide, uretonimine, urethane, allophanate, oxadiazinetrione and iminooxadiazinedione. Another example of polymeric polyisocyanate is polymeric diphenyl methane diisocyanate. The NCO functionality of polyisocyanate (A) is usually in the range of from 1.6 to 10.0, preferably in the range of 1.6 to 8.0, more preferably in the range of 1.7 to 5.4, even more preferably in the range of 1.8 to 3.4, and most preferably in the range of 1.8 to 2.4.  Polyisocyanate (A), monoalcohol (B1) and polyol (B2) can be derived from fossil or from renewable resources such as plants. Whether the components are derived from renewable resources or not can be determined by the C-14 / C-12 isotope ratio.   The equivalent ratio of OH groups derived from monoalcohol (B1) and polyol (B2) to NCO groups derived from polyisocyanate (A) is preferably in the range of 5 / 1 to 1 / 5, more preferably in the range of 2.5 / 1 to 1 / 2.5, and most preferably in the range of 1.5 / 1 to 1 / 1.5. The reaction can be conducted in the presence of at least one organic solvent.  Examples of organic solvents are aliphatic ketones such as acetone, ethyl methylketone (2-butanone) and isobutyl methyl ketone, aliphatic amides such as N-methylpyrrolidone and N-ethylpyrrolidone, ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether and dioxane, hydrocarbons such as n-heptane, cyclohexane, toluene, ortho-xylene, meta-xylene, para-xylene, and xylene isomer mixture, esters such as butyl acetate, acids such as acetic acid or neodecanoic acid, as well as nitriles such as acetonitrile. The reaction is usually conducted at a temperature in the range of 15 to 200 °C, preferably in the range of 20 to 80 °C. The bismuth-containing catalyst of the present invention is usually used in an amount, so that the amount of Bi in the bismuth-containing catalyst is in the range of 1 to 1500 ppm based on the weight of all polyisocyanate (A) (weight Bi / weight all polyisocyanate), preferably in the range of 1 to 750 ppm, more preferably in the range of 1 to 500 ppm, and most preferably in the range of 1 to 100 ppm. The reaction can be performed, for example, by adding the catalyst of the present invention to the at least one monoalcohol (B1) or polyol (B2), which is optionally dissolved in at least one organic solvent or, if only blocked polyisocyanates (A2) are present, in water, and then adding the at least one polyisocyante (A) to start the reaction. If a blocked polyisocyanate (A2) is used, the reaction is started upon de-blocking of the blocked polyisocyanate (A2). The reaction mixture is then stirred at the desired temperature until the desired NCO value (weight NCO / weight reaction mixture), which is usually below 1.5%, is reached.  Also part of the present invention is a composition comprising (i) at least one monoalcohol (B1) or polyol (B2), (ii) at least one polyisocyanate (A) and (iii) the bismuth-containing catalyst of the present invention. In one embodiment the composition is a one-component composition comprising (i) at least one monoalcohol (B1) or polyol (B2), (ii) at least one blocked polyisocyanate (A2) and (iii) the bismuth-containing catalyst of the present invention. In another embodiment the composition is an at least two-component coating composition comprising as separate components (i) at least one monoalcohol (B1) or polyol (B2) as first component and (ii) at least one polyisocyanate (A) as second component, and (iii) the bismuth-containing catalyst of the present invention as third component or mixed with either the first or second component. The composition can also comprise at least one organic solvent. Examples of organic solvents are listed above. If only blocked polyisocyanates (A2) are present and no polyisocyanates carrying free NCO groups (A1) the composition can also comprise water as solvent. The composition usually comprises5 to 85 weight%, preferably from 10 to 70 weight%, more preferably from 20 to 70 weight%, of the sum of monoalcohol (B1) and polyol (B2) based on the weight of the composition, 5 to 85 weight%, preferably from 10 to 70 weight%, more preferably from 20 to 70 weight%, of polyisocyanate (A) based on the weight of the composition, and 1 to 1000 ppm, preferably 1 to 500 ppm, more preferably 1 to 100 ppm of the bismuth containing catalyst of the present invention based on the weight of polyisocyanate (A). Also part of the present invention is a layer formed from the composition of the present invention on a on a substrate. The layer can be a coating or an adhesive layer. The compositions of the present invention can be applied to the substrate by any method known in the art such as by draw down bar, spraying, troweling, knifecoating, brushing, rolling, rollercoating, flowcoating and laminating, doctor blades, various printing processes such as gravure, transfer, lithographica and ink jet printing and by using a bar. The substrate can be any suitable substrate. Examples of substrates are wood substrates, wood-based substrates, plastic substrates such as melamine formaldehyde substrate, paper substrates, recycled paper substrates, paperboard (also called cardboard) substrate, recycled paperboard (also called recycled cardboard) substrates, metal substrates, stone substrate, glass substrates, textiles substrates, leather substrates, ceramic substrates, mineral building material substrates such as molded cement blocks and fiber-cement slabs, and composite substrates formed from any combination of at least two of the substates mentioned before in this paragraph. Also part of the present invention is foam formed from the composition of the present invention. The foam can be a rigid or flexible foam. Also part of the present invention is the use of at least one bismuth-containing catalyst of the present invention in reactions for preparing compounds comprising a urethane group. Also part of the present invention is the use of at least one bismuth-containing catalyst of the present invention as an esterification and transesterification catalyst. Also part of the present invention is the use of at least one bismuth-containing catalyst of the present invention as a catalyst for ring-opening polymerizations of lactones and epoxides. The bismuth-containing catalyst of the present invention is advantageous as the catalyst shows a high catalytic activity in the formation of urethane groups, when the catalyst was in contact with traces of water, before and / or, preferably and, during the urethane group forming reaction. Traces of water can for example be 0.01 to 10 weight%, preferably 0.5 to 2.5 weight%, based on the weight of the reaction mixture used in the formation of urethane groups.  Examples Borchi Kat 315 (commercially available from Borchers) is Bi(neodecanoate)3 in neodecanoic acid, Bi content (weight Bi / weight Borchi Kat 315) is 16%.  Example 1aPreparation of the compound of formula IIa  In a Schlenk flask, 2,2-diphenylacetic acid (IV) (50.0 g, 235.57 mmol, 1.00 eq.) was dissolved in 156 mL THF and cooled to -15 °C. Then, a 2.5 M solution of n-butyllithium in nhexane (210 mL, 525 mmol, 2.20 eq.) was slowly added and the resulting red solution was stirred for 45 min at this temperature. Subsequently, the reaction solution was cooled to -45 °C and the compound of formula (Va) (23.10 mL, 117.79 mmol, 0.50 eq.) was slowly added. The mixture was then stirred overnight at room temperature and terminated by the addition of a 1.0 M aqueous solution of HCl. Subsequently, the phases were separated in a separatory funnel and the aqueous phase was extracted with Et2O (3 x 50 mL). Afterwards, the collected organic phases were washed with water, dried over MgSO4 and decanted. Crystallization at – 27 °C gives compound IIa as a white solid. Yield: 89% (61.2 g, 105.00 mmol). 1H-NMR (400.03 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.37 (m, 8H, aryl-H), 7.25 (m, 12H, aryl-H), 3.75 (m, 4H, CH2), 3.48 (m, 4H, CH2), 3.23 (t, 4H, CH2), 2.71 (t, 4H, CH2).  Example 1bPreparation of the compound of formula IIb  In a Schlenk flask, 2,2-diphenylacetic acid (IV) (50.0 g, 235.57 mmol, 1.00 eq.) was dissolved in 156 mL THF and cooled to -15 °C. Then, a 2.5 M solution of n-butyllithium in nhexane (210 mL, 525 mmol, 2.20 eq.) was slowly added and the resulting red solution was stirred for 45 min at this temperature. Subsequently, the reaction solution was cooled to -45 °C and compound (Vb) (18.40 mL, 117.79 mmol, 0.50 eq.) was slowly added. The mixture was then stirred overnight at room temperature and terminated by the addition of a 1.0 M aqueous solution of HCl. Subsequently, the phases were separated in a separatory funnel and the aqueous phase was extracted with Et2O (3 x 50 mL). Afterwards, the collected organic phases were washed with water, dried over MgSO4 and decanted. Crystallization at – 27 °C gave IIb as white solid. Yield: 72% (45.70 g, 84.50 mmol). 1H-NMR (400.03 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.30 (m, 8H, aryl-H), 7.22 (m, 12H, aryl-H), 3.50 (t, 4H, CH2), 3.46 (t, 4H, CH2), 2.61 (t, 4H, CH2).Example 2aPreparation of bismuth-containing catalyst Ia((R1)2- is dianion of IIa, (R2)-is neodecanoate) A Schlenk flask was charged with BiPh3 (1.00 equivalent), compound IIa prepared as described in example 1a (1.00 equivalent) and neodecanoic acid (IIIa) (1.00 equivalent). Anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (3 mL per mmol of BiPh3) was added and the reaction mixture was heated for at least 16 hours at 110 °C. The complete consumption of BiPh3 was determined by 1H-NMR monitoring of the reaction mixture. Subsequently, all volatiles were removed under reduced pressure and the residue was dried in vacuo at 80 °C overnight to afford the bismuth-containing catalyst Ia as an off-white solid. Elemental analysis: calculated (%) for C46H55BiO9: C 57.50, H 5.77, found C 57.59, H 5.79.  Example 2bPreparation of bismuth-containing catalyst Ia((R1)2- is dianion of IIa, (R2)-is neodecanoate) The compound IIa prepared as described in example 1a (1.00 equivalent) was added to Borchi Kat 315 (containing 1.00 equivalent Bi(neodecanoate)3) in 2-ethylhexanol. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour at ambient temperature to afford a solution and containing the bismuth-containing catalyst Ia, which solution was directly used as is in example 5.   Example 2cPreparation of bismuth-containing catalyst Ib((R1)2- is dianion of IIb, (R2)-is neodecanoate) Bismuth-containing catalyst Ib was prepared in analogy to the bismuth containing catalyst Ia in example 2a but using compound IIb prepared as described in example 1b instead of compound IIa prepared as described in example 1a. The bismuth-containing catalyst Ib was obtainedas an off-white solid. Elemental analysis: calculated (%) for C44H51BiO8: C 57.64, H 5.61, found C 57.70, H 5.69.  Example 2dPreparation of bismuth-containing catalyst Ib((R1)2- is dianion of IIb, (R2)-is neodecanoate) A solution containing the bismuth-containing catalyst Ib was prepared in analogy to the bismuth containing catalyst Ia in example 2b but using compound IIb prepared as described in example 1b instead of compound IIa prepared as described in example 1a.   Example 3aPreparation of 2,2-diphenyldecanoic acid of formula IIIa  2,2-Diphenylacetic acid (10.6 g, 48 mmol) were dissolved in 75 mL of dry tetrahydrofuran (THF) under a protective gas atmosphere (argon or nitrogen) in a 200 mL Schlenk flask and cooled to -15°C. A 1.6M solution of n-butyllithium in hexane (60 mL, 96 mmol) was then added with stirring and over a period of 30 minutes. The reaction solution was stirred at -15°C for one hour and cooled to -78°C for the addition of 1-bromooctane (8.3 mL, 48 mmol). Subsequently, the reaction solution was slowly warmed to room temperature and stirred for a further 24 hours.  For the work-up and purification of the 2,2-diphenyldecanoic acid, a saturated ammonium chloride solution (60 mL) was added to the reaction solution and stirred for 30 minutes. The aqueous phase was separated by means of a separating funnel and extracted with 3 x 25 mL of diethyl ether. The combined organic phases were dried over magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). All volatile solvents were then removed under reduced pressure (1 ∙ 10-3 mbar) and the resulting solid dried at 140°C under reduced pressure (1 ∙ 10-3 mbar) for 24 hours to yield compound IIIa.  Example 4aPreparation of comparative bismuth-containing catalyst comp Ia (Bi(2-3-diphenyldecanoate)3) of formula Triphenylbismuth (1.1 g, 2.5 mmol) and 2,2-diphenyldecanoic acid (IIIa) (2.43 g, 7.5 mmol) prepared as described in example 3a were initially charged under a protective gas atmosphere in a 25 mL three-necked flask equipped with stirrer bar, reflux condenser, thermometer and protective gas atmosphere inlet (argon or nitrogen). 12.5 mL of dry toluene (5 mL of solvent per 1 mmol of triphenylbismuth) were added to the reactants and the mixture was heated at 110°C under a protective gas atmosphere for at least 16 hours. The reaction course was monitored by 1H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy). After complete conversion of triphenylbismuth with formation of benzene, the reaction was terminated and cooled. All volatile solvents were then removed under reduced pressure (1 ∙ 10-3 mbar) and the resulting solid dried at 60°C under reduced pressure (1 ∙ 10-3 mbar) for 24 hours to yield comparative catalyst comp Ia. 1H-NMR (400.13 MHz, C6D6): δ = 7.51 (m, 12H, aryl-H), 7.18 (m, 12H, aryl-H), 7.05 (m, 6H, p-aryl-H), 2.50 (m, 6H, CH2), 1.44-1.16 (m, 36H, CH2), 0.89 (t, 3JHH = 7.0 Hz, 9H, CH3).  Example 5Determination of the catalytic activity of the catalysts Ia and Ib, as well as of the comparative catalysts comp Iaand BorchiKat 315 (comp Ib) The catalytic activity of the bismuth-containing catalysts Ia, Ib, comp Ia and of BorchiKat 315 (comp Ib), respectively, were tested for the following reaction:  Borchi Kat 315 (comp Ib) (1.00 mg) was diluted with absolute 2-ethylhexanol (4.5 g, 34.55 mmol) and water (95 mg). The so-obtained bismuth-containing composition was allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. The water content based on 2-ethylhexanol (= weight water / weight 2-ethylhexanol) of the bismuth-containing composition was 2.1%.  Then, dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate (4.98 g, 19 mmol) was added to start the reaction. The container with the reaction mixture was placed in block reactor having a temperature of 60 °C. The molar ratio of 2-ethylhexanol / dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate was 1.82. The Bi content based on the weight of dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate (= weight Bi / weight dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate) of the reaction mixture was 32 ppm. The water content based on the weight of 2-ethylhexanol and dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate (= weight water / 2-ethylhexanol and dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate) of the reaction mixture was 1.0%. Solid catalyst comp Ia prepared as described in example 4a was dissolved in absolute 2-ethylhexanol and water to obtain a bismuth-containing composition, which was allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. Then, dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate was added to start the reaction. The container with the reaction mixture was placed in block reactor having a temperature of 60 °C. The solution containing catalyst Ia prepared as described in example 2b was mixed with water to obtain a bismuth-containing composition, which was allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. Then, dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate was added to start the reaction. The container with the reaction mixture was placed in block reactor having a temperature of 60 °C. The solution containing catalyst Ib prepared as described in example 2d was mixed with water to obtain a bismuth-containing composition, which was allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. Then, dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate was added to start the reaction. The container with the reaction mixture was placed in block reactor having a temperature of 60 °C. When using catalysts comp Ia, Ia and Ib, the water content based on the weight of 2-ethylhexanol of the bismuth-containing composition was also 2.1%, the molar ratio of 2-ethylhexanol / dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate was also 1.82, the Bi content based on the weight of dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate of the reaction mixture was also 32 ppm and the water content based on the weight of weight 2-ethylhexanol and dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate of the reaction mixture was also 1.0%.  The conversion of the isocyanate (NCO) groups was investigated by horizontal ATR-IR spectroscopy (Bruker, Alpha). For this purpose, an aliquot of 0.05 mL was taken from the reaction mixture at the time intervals shown in table 1 and analyzed directly by horizontal ATR-IR spectroscopy. The relative intensity decrease of the area integral of the asymmetric isocyanate stretching band at 2260 cm-1 was used to determine the conversion of the NCO groups.  The initial NCO group content of the reaction mixture (= weight NCO groups / weight 2-ethylhexanol and dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate) was determined by calculation. The IR spectrum at time 0 reflecting the initial NCO group content of the reaction mixture was measured using the reaction mixture without any catalyst at room temperature. All IR spectra were normalized to the bands of the symmetrical and asymmetrical stretching vibrations of the CH2 groups (3000 – 2870 cm1).  The results are outlined in table 1:  catalyst IaIbcomp Iacomp Ib (R1)2- (R2)-Bi3+, (R1)2- is dianion of IIa, (R2)- is neodecanoate(R1)2- (R2)-Bi3+, (R1)2- is dianion of IIb, (R2)- is neodecanoateBi(2,3-diphenyl-decanoate)3Bi(neodeca-noate)3Time [min]NCO group content of the reaction mixture (w / w) [%]016.6616.6616.6616.6637.314.114.314.154.413.91414.173.613.71413.993.2ndndnd112.913.213.913.8152.7nd13.613.7302.310.913.113.3601.88.412.312.61201.45.810.411.3180nd3.89.710.1240nd3.18.99.5 Table 1. nd = not determined. Table 1 shows that 3 minutes after addition of dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate the NCO group content of the reaction mixture has decreased from 16.66% to 7.3% and thus by more than 50% when the catalyst Ia is present in the reaction mixture. When using catalyst Ib a 50% decrease in NCO group content in the reaction mixture takes approximately 60 minutes. When using comparative catalysts comp Ia 50% decrease in NCO group content in the reaction mixture is almost reached after 4 hours (240 minutes). When using comparative catalyst comp Ib, a 50% decrease in NCO group content in the reaction mixture is not even reached after 4 hours (240 minutes). 2 hours (120 minutes) after addition of dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate, the NCO group content of the reaction mixture is only 1.4% when the catalyst Ia is used, 5.8% when catalyst Ib is used, but 10.5 and 11.3%, respectively, when comparative catalysts comp Ia and comp Ib, respectively, are used. Thus, table 1 shows that the catalytic activity of Ia and Ib, after storage of the catalysts in a composition containing in 2.1 weight% water (based on the weight of 2-ethylhexanol) overnight at room temperature,for the reaction of dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate and 2ethylhexanol in the presence of 1.0 weight% water (based on the weight of 2-ethylhexanol and dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate) is much higher than that of comparative catalysts comp Ia and comp Ib. The catalytic activity of Ia is even higher than that of Ib.

Claims

 1. A bismuth-containing catalyst of formula(R1)2-(R2)-(Bi)3+ (I)  wherein(R1)2- is a dianion of formula wherein R3, R4, R5 and R6 are mutually independently an unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C1-30-alkyl, C6-14-aryl or C7-30-aralkyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM1, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M1 is H or metal and A is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted linear C3-30-alkylene, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM2, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M2 is H or metal, andwherein at least two not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-30-alkylene are replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, NH, N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl and N-C7-30-aralkyl, wherein alkyl and aryl fragments of N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl, N-C7-30-aralkyl may at least be monosubstituted by hydroxyl, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl,   and (R2)- is a HO-, R8-O-, a halide anion, a HO-C(=O)-O-, a R9-S- or an anion of formulawhereinR7, R8 and R9 are an organic residue. 2. The bismuth-containing catalyst as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of R3, R4, R5 or R6 is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C6-14-aryl, preferably at least two, more preferably at least three of R3, R4, R5 or R6, and most preferably each of R3, R4, R5 and R6 are unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C6-14-aryl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM1, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by hydroxyl, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M1 is H or metal. 3. The bismuth-containing catalyst as claimed in any of claims 1 or 2, wherein at least one, preferably at least two, more preferably at least three of R3, R4, R5 or R6 is phenyl, and most preferably each of R3, R4, R5 and R6 is phenyl. 4. The bismuth-containing catalyst as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein A is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted linear C3-30-alkylene, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen,-C(=O)-OM2, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M2 is H or metal, andwherein two, three, four or five not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-30-alkylene are replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O and S, preferably by O. 5. The bismuth-containing catalyst as claimed in claim 1 to 4, wherein A is unsubstituted linear C5-20-alkylene, wherein two, three or four not adjacent CH2 groups of C5-20-alkylene are replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O and S. 6. The bismuth-containing catalyst as claimed in any of claim 1 to 5, wherein the heteroatom is O. 7. The bismuth-containing catalyst as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein (R2)- is HO-, R8-O-, Cl-, a HO-C(=O)-O-, R9-S- or an anion of formula  whereinR7,R8 and R9 are unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C3-30-alkyl, C6-14-aryl or C7-30-aralkyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM3, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM3, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl, O-phenyl or C1-6-alkyl, wherein M3 is H or metal, and wherein one CH2 group or at least two not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-30-alkyl can be replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, NH, N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl and N-C7-30-aralkyl, wherein alkyl and aryl fragments of N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl, N-C7-30-aralkyl may at least be monosubstituted by -OH halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl. 8. The bismuth-containing catalyst as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein (R2)- is an anion of formula wherein R7 is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C3-30-alkyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting -C(=O)-OM3 and C6-14-aryl, and the aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl and C1-6-alkyl, wherein M3 is H or metal, andwherein one CH2 group or at least two not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-30-alkyl can be replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O and S. 9. The bismuth-containing catalyst as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein (R2)- is an anion of formula  wherein R7 is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C3-30-alkyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting -C(=O)-OM3and phenyl, andwherein one CH2 group or at least two not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-30-alkyl can be replaced by a O. 10. A process for preparing the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula(R1)2-(R2)-(Bi)3+ (I) wherein(R1)2- is a dianion of formula wherein R3, R4, R5 and R6 are mutually independently an unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C1-30-alkyl, C6-14-aryl or C7-30-aralkyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM1, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M1 is H or metal and A is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted linear C3-30-alkylene, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM2, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M2 is H or metal, andwherein at least two not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-C30-alkylene are replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, NH, N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl and N-C7-30-aralkyl, wherein alkyl and aryl fragments of N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl, N-C7-30-aralkyl may at least be monosubstituted by hydroxyl, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl,  and (R2)- is a HO-, R8-O-, a halide anion, a HO-C(=O)-O-, a R9-S- or an anion of formulawhereinR7, R8 and R9 are an organic residue, which process comprises the step of reacting at least one compound of a formulawherein R3, R4, R5 und R6 are as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I), or a corresponding salt thereof,  optionally at least H2O, R8-OH, hydrogen halide, a HO-C(=O)-OH, R9-SH or one compound of formulawherein R7, R8 and R9 are as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I), or a corresponding salt thereof, and at least one bismuth-containing compound selected from the group consisting of Bi2O3, bismuth carbonate, bismuth hydrogencarbonate, bismuth halide, Bi(O-R8)3, Bi(S-R9)3, Bi(O-C(=O)-R7)3, Bi(C6-C14-aryl)3, Bi(C1-C12-alkyl)3 and metallic Bi, wherein R7, R8 and R9 are as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I). 11. The process of claim 10, wherein the bismuth-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of Bi2O3, BiCl3, Bi(O-R8)3, Bi(O-C(=O)-R7)3, BiPh3 and metallic Bi. wherein R7, R8 and R9 are as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I). 12. A process for preparing the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula(R1)2-(R2)-(Bi)3+ (I#)  wherein(R1)2- is a dianion of formulawherein R3, R4, R5 and R6 are mutually independently an unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C1-30-alkyl, C6-14-aryl or C7-30-aralkyl, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM1, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M1 is H or metal and A is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted linear C3-30-alkylene, wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting of -OH, halogen, -C(=O)-OM2, -CF3, -NH2, -NH-C1-30-alkyl, -NH-C6-14-aryl, -NH-C7-30-aralkyl, -N(C1-30-alkyl)2, -N(C6-14-aryl)2, -N(C7-30-aralkyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-30-alkyl, -S-C6-14-aryl, -S-C7-30-aralkyl, -O-C1-30-alkyl, -O-C6-14-aryl, -O-C7-30-aralkyl, C1-30-alkyl and C6-14-aryl, and the alkyl and aryl fragments of these substituents may in turn be at least monosubstituted by -OH, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl, wherein M2 is H or metal, andwherein at least two not adjacent CH2 groups of C3-30-alkylene are replaced by a heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, NH, N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl and N-C7-30-aralkyl, wherein alkyl and aryl fragments of N-C1-30-alkyl, N-C6-14-aryl, N-C7-30-aralkyl may at least be monosubstituted by hydroxyl, halogen, -CF3, NH2, -NH-C1-6-alkyl, -NH-phenyl, -N(C1-6-alkyl)2, -N(phenyl)2, -SH, -S-C1-6-alkyl, -S-phenyl, -O-C1-6-alkyl or -O-phenyl,  and (R2)- is an anion of formulawhereinR7 is an organic residue, which process comprises the step of reacting either a)at least one compound of a formula wherein R3, R4, R5 und R6 are as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I#), or a corresponding salt thereof,  and at least one compound of formulawherein R7 is as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I#), or a corresponding salt thereof,  and at least one bismuth-containing compound selected from the group consisting of Bi(C6-14-aryl)3 and Bi(C1-12-alkyl)3,or  b)at least one compound of a formulawherein R3, R4, R5 und R6 are as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I#), or a corresponding salt thereof,   and at least one Bi(O-C(=O)-R7)3, wherein R7 is as defined for the bismuth-containing catalyst of formula (I#).

13. A process for the preparation of a compound, oligomer or polymer comprising at least one urethane group, which process comprises the step of reacting at least one monoalcohol (B1) or polyol (B2) with at least one polyisocyanate (A) in the presence of the bismuth-containing catalyst of any of claims 1 to 9. 14. A composition comprising (i) at least one monoalcohol (B1) or polyol (B2), (ii) at least one polyisocyanate (A) and (iii) the bismuth-containing catalyst of any of claims 1 to 9. 15. A layer formed from the composition of claim 14 on a substrate.

16. A foam formed from the composition of claim 14. 17. The use of at least one bismuth-containing catalyst as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 in reactions for preparing compounds, oligomers or polymers comprising a urethane group. 18. The use of at least one bismuth-containing catalyst as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 as an esterification and transesterification catalyst. 19. The use of at least one bismuth-containing catalyst as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 as a catalyst for ring-opening polymerizations of lactones and epoxides. 

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