Antimonides (sometimes called stibnides or stibinides) are compounds of antimony with more electropositive elements. The antimonide ion is Sb3−.
Reduction of antimony by alkali metals or by other methods leads to alkali metal antimonides of various types.[1] Known antimonides include isolated Sb3− ions (in Li3Sb, Na3Sb), dumbbells Sb4−2 in Cs4Sb2, discrete antimony chains, for example, Sb8−6 in SrSb3, infinite spirals (Sb−)n (in NaSb, RbSb), planar four-membered rings Sb2−4, Sb3−7 cages in Cs3Sb, and net shaped anions Sb2−3 in BaSb3.
Some antimonides are semiconductors, e.g. those of the boron group such as indium antimonide. Many antimonides are flammable or decomposed by oxygen when heated since the antimonide ion is a reducing agent.
References
^King, R. Bruse (2005). Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry, Second Edition (10 Volume Set) (2nd ed.). Wiley. p. 211. ISBN9780470860786.
