title: Low-temperature synthesis of zintl compounds with a single-source molecular precursor
abstract: Thermolysis of the heterobimetallic phosphinidene complex [Sb(PCy)3]2- Li6.6HNMe2 (Cy = C6H11) at 303 to 313 kelvin gives Zintl compounds containing (Sb7)3- anions. The complex thus constitutes a stable molecular single-source precursor to Zintl compounds and provides a potential low-temperature route to photoactive alkali metal antimonates. The new chemical reaction involved, which is driven thermodynamically by the formation of P-P bonds, has implications in the low-temperature synthesis of other technologically important materials (such as gallium arsenide).
authors.affiliation: M. A. Beswick, C. N. Harmer, A. D. Hopkins, D. S. Wright, Department of Chemistry, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK. N. Choi and M. McPartlin, School of Chemistry, University of North London, London N7 8DB, UK.
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Beswick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Harmer
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McPartlin
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Wright