Antimonide

{{Short description|Compound containing Sb3−}}

Antimonides (sometimes called stibnides or stibinides) are compounds of antimony with more electropositive elements. The antimonide ion is {{chem2|Sb(3−)}} but the term refers also to any anionic derivative of antimony.{{Greenwood&Earnshaw2nd|page =554}}

Antimonides are often prepared by heating the elements.{{cite book|author=E. Dönges|chapter=Phosphides, Arsenides, Antimonides and Bismuthides|title=Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry, 2nd Ed. |editor=G. Brauer|publisher=Academic Press|year=1963|place=NY, NY|volume=2pages=985}} Alternatively, sodium electride in ammonia dissolves antimony to give an antimonide upon evaporation.{{Cite journal |last=Ellis |first=John E. |date=2006-04-17 |title=Adventures with Substances Containing Metals in Negative Oxidation States |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ic052110i |journal=Inorganic Chemistry |language=en |volume=45 |issue=8 |pages=3167–3186 |doi=10.1021/ic052110i |issn=0020-1669|url-access=subscription }}

The reduction of antimony leads to alkali metal antimonides of various types, depending on stoichiometry.{{cite book |last1=King |first1=R. Bruce |title=Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry, Second Edition |date=2005 |publisher=Wiley |isbn=9780470860786 |page=211 |edition=2nd}} Known antimonides include isolated {{chem2|Sb(3−)}} ions (in {{chem2|Li3Sb}} and {{chem2|Na3Sb}}). Other motifs include dumbbells {{chem2|Sb2(4−)}} in {{chem2|Cs4Sb2}}, discrete antimony chains, for example, {{chem2|Sb6(8−)}} in {{chem2|SrSb3}}, infinite spirals {{chem2|(Sb−)_{n}|}} (in NaSb, RbSb), planar four-membered rings {{chem2|Sb4(2−)}}, {{chem2|Sb7(3−)}} cages in {{chem2|Li3Sb7}},{{cite journal |doi=10.1126/science.281.5382.1500 |title=Low-Temperature Synthesis of Zintl Compounds with a Single-Source Molecular Precursor |date=1998 |last1=Beswick |first1=Michael A. |last2=Choi |first2=Nick |last3=Harmer |first3=Christopher N. |last4=Hopkins |first4=Alexander D. |last5=McPartlin |first5=Mary |last6=Wright |first6=Dominic S. |journal=Science |volume=281 |issue=5382 |pages=1500–1501 |pmid=9727974 }} and net shaped anions {{chem2|Sb3(2−)}} in {{chem2|BaSb3}}.

Some antimonides are semiconductors, e.g. those of the boron group such as indium antimonide. Being reducing, many antimonides are decomposed by oxygen.