[Mes₂SbCu(PMe₃)₂]₂: The First Cu^I Antimonide

Abstract

A planar Cu2Sb2 framework characterizes the structure of the title complex 1, which is moderately stable in the crystalline form in the absence of light and air, but rapidly decomposes in solution. The Cu1 antimonide was prepared by lithiation of Mes2SbH with nBuLi followed by reaction with CuCI and Me3P in THF. Mes2SbH, the structure of which was also determined, is obtained from Mes3Sb by reduction with lithium powder and protonation with Me3NHCl.