Stibine

Stibine is a chemical compound with the formula SbH3. A pnictogen hydride, this colourless gas is the principal covalent hydride of antimony, and a heavy analogue of ammonia. The molecule is pyramidal with H–Sb–H angles of 91.7° and Sb–H distances of 170.7 pm (1.707 Å). This gas has an offensive smell like hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs).

History

Stibine was first discovered in 1837 by Antoine Bussy who was able to produce it by heating antimony with hydrogen. The gas was named after the Latin word for antimony, stibium.

Production

Stibine can be produced by treating Sb3+ sources with hydride reagents such as sodium borohydride. It can also be produced by the reaction of Sb3+ with an alloy of aluminium and gallium in aqueous solution:

2 SbCl3 + 3 Al + 3 Ga + 9 H2O → 2 SbH3 + 3 Al(OH)3 + 3 Ga(OH)3

Properties and reactions

Stibine is a stable compound, but decomposes on heating producing antimony and hydrogen. It burns in oxygen to form antimony trioxide and water:

2 SbH3 + 3 O2 → 2 SbO3 + 3 H2O

Stibine also reacts with halogens to form antimony trihalides and hydrogen halides:

SbH3 + 3 X2 → SbX3 + 3 HX (X = F, Cl, Br, I)

Toxicity

Stibine is a highly toxic gas and can cause symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness and confusion. In severe cases, it can lead to pulmonary edema and death.

See also

• Antimony
• Hydride
• Ammonia

References

Stibine Resources
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