1. Pharmaceuticals

• Antidiarrheal and Antiulcer Properties: Bismuth subacetate, a common form of bismuth acetate, is known for its ability to relieve diarrhea and protect against ulcers in the digestive system. 
• Antimicrobial Action: It has shown effectiveness against various bacteria, including H. pylori, which is a major cause of peptic ulcers. 
• Combination Therapy: Bismuth acetate is frequently used in combination with other medications, such as antibiotics like tetracycline and metronidazole, to treat H. pylori infections and related ulcers.
• Gastrointestinal Relief: It can provide relief from symptoms like heartburn, indigestion, nausea, gas, and upset stomach associated with overindulgence in food and drink.

2. Performance Chemicals

• Azlactone Synthesis: Bismuth acetate is a catalyst in the Erlenmeyer synthesis, efficiently producing azlactones from aromatic aldehydes. 
• Protodeboronation: It can facilitate sequential protodeboronations, enabling the selective introduction of boron groups into molecules like indoles. 
• Catalyst: Bismuth acetate can catalyze various other reactions, including epoxide opening, ketal formation and deprotection, Mannich reactions, and more.
• Bismuth Salts and Coordination Polymers: Bismuth acetate serves as a starting material for the synthesis of other bismuth salts and coordination polymers with potential applications in materials science.

3. Polymers & Resins

• Catalysis: Bismuth acetate acts as a Lewis acid catalyst, facilitating the ring-opening polymerization of lactones. It is known to be a more environmentally friendly and less toxic alternative to some traditional catalysts like stannous octoate. 
• Initiator: In some cases, bismuth acetate can also initiate polymerization reactions, especially with monomers like L-lactide.

4. Paints, Coatings & Adhesives

• Catalyst: Bismuth acetate, often in combination with aromatic nitrogen compounds, acts as a catalyst in the curing process of polyurethane systems.  These catalysts help facilitate the reaction between polyisocyanates and polyols, leading to the formation of the polyurethane polymer. This application is common in various polyurethane products, including coatings for metal, car topcoats, architectural and industrial coatings, and one- and two-component adhesive systems.
• Bismuth based Paints: Bismuth vanadate pigments, which contain bismuth, are used in paints to achieve specific color and gloss properties, particularly in aqueous paint systems. Bismuth compounds are also used in waterborne cathodic electrodeposition (CED) coating compositions, where they contribute to the overall coating properties.