Determination of Conditions for the Suppression of CH3 + Sb(CH3)2→Sb(CH3)3 and Evaluation of D[(CH3)2Sb—CH3]

Abstract

The pyrolysis of trimethylantimony has been studied in a toluene carrier flow system over the temperature range 690–803 °K (total pressures 3.6–173.4 mm, contact times 1.0–13.5 s, decomposition 3.9–89.5%). The progress of the reaction was followed by measuring the amount of methane, ethane, and ethylbenzene formed. In 23 runs the undecomposed alkyl was also determined. The quantity found was in agreement with that expected from the product analysis if three methyl radicals are released for each molecule undergoing reaction. No heterogeneous reaction was detected.Deuterium labeling led to the conclusion that regeneration of the parent alkyl occurred during the course of the decomposition. This regeneration reaction was effectively eliminated by working at toluene pressures above 150 mm. Least squares analysis of the results obtained under conditions where regeneration should not be important givenLog10k/s−1 = 15.33 − (55 900 ± 1 000)/2.3RTThe activation energy should be a good approximation to D[(CH3)2Sb—CH3].Significant decomposition of SbCH3 probably does not occur. It seems most likely that free Sb is formed via 2Sb(CH3) → Sb(CH3)2 + Sb.