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Triphenylstibine

Triphenylstibine is the chemical compound with the formula Sb(C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)<sub>3</sub>, which is often abbreviated SbPh<sub>3</sub>, This colourless solid is a common organoantimony(III) compound. It serves as a ligand in coordination chemistry and as a reagent in organic synthesis.

Like the related molecules triphenylamine, triphenylphosphine and triphenylarsine, SbPh<sub>3</sub> is pyramidal with a propeller-like arrangement of the phenyl groups. The Sb-C distances average 2.14-2.17 Å and the C-Sb-C angles are 95°.

Synthesis and reactions

Triphenylstibine was first reported in 1886, being prepared from antimony trichloride and chlorobenzene:

6 Na + 3 C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>Cl + SbCl<sub>3</sub> → (C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)<sub>3</sub>Sb + 6 NaCl

In an alternative method, phenylmagnesium bromide is treated with SbCl<sub>3</sub>.

Upon treatment with antimony trichloride, triphenylstibine undergoes a redistribution reaction:

Stiboranes can be synthesised from triphenylstibine by halogenation:

As confirmed by X-ray crystallography, features pentacoordinate Sb(V) with trans-diaxial chloride ligands.

References