Antimonite

In chemistry, an antimonite refers to salts of antimony(III), such as NaSb(OH)4 and NaSbO2 (metaantimonite) which can be prepared by reacting alkali with antimony(III) oxide, Sb2O3.[1] These are formally salts of antimonous acid (antimonious acid[2]), "Sb(OH)3" whose existence in solution is dubious, and attempts to isolate it generally form Sb2O3.xH2O, antimony(III) oxide hydrate, which slowly transforms into Sb2O3.[1]

In geology, the mineral stibnite, Sb2S3, is sometimes called antimonite.

They can be compared to antimonates, which contain antimony in the +5 oxidation state.

References

  1. ^ a b Egon Wiberg, Arnold Frederick Holleman (2001) Inorganic Chemistry, Elsevier ISBN 0-12-352651-5
  2. ^ Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 0080379419.