Antimony hydride, SbHj

Antimony Hydride, SbHj.—It corresponds to phosphorus hydride (PHj) and arsenic hydride (AsHj). It was discovered by Lewis Thompson in 1837, and about the same time independently by PfafF. However, the production of pure antimony hydride and the determination of its physical constants are matters of recent times. 

Alkyl-combination.—Antimony hydride (SbHj), like arsenic hydride (AsHg) and phosphorus hydride (PHj), can give rise to organic compounds in which the H-component is replaced by an alkyl. It is then called stihirte. It can be produced by allowing iodine-alkyls to act upon potassium antimonide or upon sodium antimom de, or by the reaction between antimony chloride and zinc-alkyls. 

Common Related Antimony Compounds Within the antimony compounds, there are antimony hydride (SbHj, stibine, a gas) which is the most deadly compound, followed by antimony sulfide (Sb2S3, stibi), which is used as a medicament for skin complains and burns. Antimony sulfites are used in rubber compounding, and in camouflage paints because of its reflection of infrared. An antimony salt of tartaric acid, known as tartar emetic, is prepared by leaving some wine in a cup made of antimony overnight (this compound was then used by vets and doctors, mainly to expel bad humours from the body). 

At ordinary temperatures the rapidity of its decomposition depends Upon the nature of the vessel containing it. In antimony hydride we have an instance of what is known as uuto-katalysis. The decomposition of liquefied SbHj at room temperature is very rapid while in a gaseous state its decomposition at such temperature is slow. 

Antimony hydride is very sensitive towards oxygen. At ordinary temperature these two gases react on each other with the formation of water and antimony. Even at - 90° (the melting-point of SbHj) this reaction is still possible, with the production of yellow antimony, while at the temperature of liquid air there is no such reaction. 

Methods for several metals or metalloids involve conversion to a volatile form. Arsenic, antimony, and selenium can be reduced to their volatile hydrides, AsHj, SbHj, and H2Se, repectively, which can be determined by atomic absorption or other means. Mercury is reduced to volatile mercury metal, which is evolved from solution and measured by cold vapor atomic absorption. 

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