SbS3

SbS3, or antimony trisulfide, is the chemical formula for a compound consisting of antimony and sulfur in a 1:3 ratio. The most well-known antimony sulfide solid is Sb2S3, the mineral stibnite, which is common in nature and widely studied. In contrast, solid SbS3 is not a well-established, isolable phase under ordinary conditions and is rarely encountered outside specialized research contexts.

In the chemical literature, SbS3 is mainly discussed as a transient molecular species in high-temperature gas-phase reactions or as an intermediate in the synthesis of antimony sulfide materials. There are occasional references to SbS3 in solution or in complexation chemistry, but bulk crystalline SbS3 is not broadly recognized as a stable solid. Consequently, reliable data on its crystal structure, thermodynamic properties, and broad applicability are limited.

Because SbS3 is not a widely characterized solid, its documented physical properties are sparse and not standardized. The dominant and well-characterized antimony sulfide solid remains Sb2S3, which has applications in pigments, infrared technologies, and thin-film solar cells. SbS3 is therefore of primarily academic interest, contributing to the understanding of antimony–sulfur chemistry and serving as a potential precursor or intermediate in synthesis and deposition processes.

Safety considerations for antimony compounds apply to SbS3 as well; handling should follow appropriate chemical safety guidelines, with attention to potential toxicity and sulfur-related hazards.