Chloroantimonide

Chloroantimonide refers to a class of chemical compounds containing antimony and chlorine. These compounds can exist in various oxidation states for antimony, most commonly +3 and +5. The simplest examples include antimony trichloride, SbCl3, and antimony pentachloride, SbCl5. Antimony trichloride is a colorless, crystalline solid that is soluble in water, forming a solution that readily hydrolyzes. It is used as a catalyst, in textile manufacturing, and as a mordant in dyeing. Antimony pentachloride is a highly reactive, oily liquid that fumes in moist air due to hydrolysis. It is a strong chlorinating agent and a Lewis acid, finding applications in organic synthesis and as a catalyst. Other chloroantimonides can be formed by complexation, such as the hexachloroantimonate anion, [SbCl6]-, which is found in salts with various cations. These compounds are generally handled with care due to the toxicity of antimony and the corrosive nature of many of these substances.