Abstract: An improved process for making a bismuth carboxylate is disclosed which generally comprises (A) heating an anhydrous reaction mixture comprising a carboxylic acid or anhydride, bismuth metal, and hydrazine to a temperature of from about 80.degree. C. up to, but not including, the temperature of decomposition of any reactant, hydrazine, or the desired bismuth carboxylate, (B) bubbling an oxygen-containing gas through the reaction mixture during (A), and (C) removing water formed during (B) from the reaction mixture. Bismuth carboxylate compositions are also disclosed which contain at least 70 equivalents of a bismuth carboxylate derived from at least one carboxylic acid or anhydride having from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, the composition having a viscosity of not more than 1000 centipoise at 25.degree. C.