Sb5N

Sb5N, occasionally written Sb5n, is a proposed compound in the antimony–nitrogen system. The formula implies a stoichiometry of five antimony atoms for each nitrogen, but the exact nature—whether a discrete molecular cluster, a solid-state phase, or a mixture of species—has not been established in experimental work.

Structures suggested by theoretical studies include motifs where a single nitrogen center is coordinated by several antimony atoms in geometries related to trigonal bipyramids or other polyhedra. The precise Sb–N bonding and the arrangement of Sb atoms vary among proposed models, and no consensus exists.

Synthetic attempts have not produced a confirmed, reproducible preparation of Sb5N. Proposed routes include high-temperature solid-state synthesis from elemental antimony and nitrogen sources, or precursor-directed deposition methods under nitrogen-rich conditions. Stability of the compound is unclear, as it competes with formation of other antimony nitrides and nitrogen-dense phases.

Because the structure is not known experimentally, predicted properties are highly model-dependent. If realized, Sb5N would be expected to be refractory with strong Sb–N bonds; electronic behavior could range from metallic to semiconducting, depending on dimensionality and bonding, making it of interest in studies of pnictide chemistry and cluster bonding.

Status: Sb5N remains speculative. It is cited mainly in theoretical investigations and as part of broader discussions of antimony-nitrogen chemistry.