In chemistry, antimonite refers to a salt of antimony(III), such as NaSb(OH)4 and NaSbO2 (meta-antimonite), which can be prepared by reacting alkali with antimony trioxide, Sb2O3.[1] These are formally salts of antimonous acid,[2] Sb(OH)3, whose existence in solution is dubious. 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.
Antimonites can be compared to antimonates, which contain antimony in the +5 oxidation state.
References[edit]
- ^ a b Egon Wiberg, Arnold Frederick Holleman (2001) Inorganic Chemistry, Elsevier ISBN 0-12-352651-5
- ^ Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-08-037941-8.