Preparation, characterization and ab initio computation of the first binary antimony azide, Sb(N3)3

Abstract

Reaction of SbI₃ with silver azide in acetonitrile solution gave Sb(N₃)₃ in high yield. The product was separated from silver iodide by extraction with acetonitrile. The identity of this first binary antimony azide was established by ¹⁴N NMR and IR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of Sb(N₃)₃ was computed ab initio at the Hartree–Fock (HF) level of theory (HF/6–31 + G*) using a quasi-relativistic pseudo-potential (ECP) for antimony. The calculated and observed IR frequencies are in reasonable agreement.