SbSb

SbSb refers to the diatomic molecule consisting of two antimony atoms. In chemical notation, the molecule is often written as Sb2, and SbSb is sometimes used informally to emphasize its diatomic form. Antimony itself is a heavy metalloid with atomic number 51, and its elemental form in nature is typically a metallic solid rather than a discrete gas-phase diatomic.

SbSb is not a stable species under ordinary conditions. It is primarily encountered in high-temperature gas phases or in controlled laboratory environments such as laser ablation plumes, where antimony vapor can transiently pair to form diatomic fragments. In contrast, antimony's common natural occurrence is as minerals like stibnite (Sb2S3) or as oxide and sulfide derivatives in ore deposits. The diatomic Sb2 is therefore mainly of interest in fundamental chemistry and spectroscopy rather than in practical applications.

The chemical bonding in SbSb is characterized by a relatively weak covalent interaction compared with lighter diatomic molecules. The molecule is short-lived and tends to dissociate into individual antimony atoms. Its electronic structure has been examined by spectroscopic and theoretical studies to better understand bonding in heavy p-block diatomics, and to benchmark quantum-chemical methods for elements with considerable relativistic effects.

SbSb is primarily studied for academic purposes, including insights into bonding trends among pnictogen elements and the behavior of heavy diatomic species in the gas phase. It has no widespread industrial use and is not observed as a stable, bulk material. See also antimony, stibnite, and pnictogen diatomic molecules.