Low-Temperature Synthesis of Zintl Compounds with a Single-Source Molecular Precursor

Abstract

Thermolysis of the heterobimetallic phosphinidene complex {[Sb(PCy) 3 ] 2 - Li 6 ·6HNMe 2 } (Cy = C 6 H 11 ) at 303 to 313 kelvin gives Zintl compounds containing (Sb 7 ) 3− anions. The complex thus constitutes a stable molecular single-source precursor to Zintl compounds and provides a potential low-temperature route to photoactive alkali metal antimonates. The new chemical reaction involved, which is driven thermodynamically by the formation of P–P bonds, has implications in the low-temperature synthesis of other technologically important materials (such as gallium arsenide).