Synthesis is performed by making a suspension of bismuth trioxide in a boiling sodium hydroxide solution.

As a strong oxidizer, it converts almost any manganese compound to permanganate, which is easily assayed spectrophotometrically.

The reaction is:[citation needed] Sodium bismuthate can perform oxidative 1,2-cleavage on glycols, ketols and alpha hydroxy acids with no further oxidation of the (possible) aldehyde products:[9] These cleavages can be done in the presence of acetic or phosphoric acid at room temperature.

Alcohols like methanol or ethanol can be used as the reaction media, as they are oxidized slowly with sodium bismuthate.

Upon ingestion it is moderately toxic with symptoms akin to lead poisoning: abdominal pain and vomiting.