The crystal structure of 1 : 1 antimony trichloride–aniline, SbCl3, C6H5NH2

Abstract

A three-dimensional X-ray crystal structure analysis of SbCl₃, C₆H₅NH₂ is described. The unit cell is monoclinic, a= 10·86, b= 8·90, c= 10·10 Å, β= 99·0°, space group P2_1/c′ and contains 4 formula units. Least-squares refinement led to R= 0·136 for 637 independent reflections. The dimensions of the antimony trichloride molecule differ considerably form those of antimony trichloride in the pure crystalline state. The antimony atom is situated in a distorted trigonal bipyramidal environment with a nitrogen atom at one apex and with one of the equatorial positions occupied by a non-bonding lone pair of electrons. The Sb–N distance is 2·53 Å, corresponding to a long bond.