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).
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