Antimonide
Antimonides (sometimes called stibnides or stibinides) are compounds of antimony with more electropositive elements. The antimonide ion is Template:Chem2 but the term refers also to any anionic derivative of antimony.[1]
Antimonides are often prepared by heating the elements.[2] Alternatively, sodium electride in ammonia dissolves antimony to give an antimonide upon evaporation.[3]
The reduction of antimony leads to alkali metal antimonides of various types, depending on stoichiometry.[4] Known antimonides include isolated Template:Chem2 ions (in Template:Chem2 and Template:Chem2). Other motifs include dumbbells Template:Chem2 in Template:Chem2, discrete antimony chains, for example, Template:Chem2 in Template:Chem2, infinite spirals Template:Chem2 (in NaSb, RbSb), planar four-membered rings Template:Chem2, Template:Chem2 cages in Template:Chem2,[5] and net shaped anions Template:Chem2 in Template:Chem2.
Some antimonides are semiconductors, e.g. those of the boron group such as indium antimonide. Being reducing, many antimonides are decomposed by oxygen.