Reactions of [SbR3X2]2O with carboxylates and the crystal structures of [SbPh3(O2CCF3)2]2O and [SbMe3(O2CCH3)2]2O

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0022-328X(97)00759-6

Reactions of [SbPh₃Br]₂O and [SbMe₃Cl]₂O with a number of carboxylates lead to halogen substitution and formation of either [SbR₃(O₂CR′)]₂O or SbR₃(O₂CR′)₂. X-ray structures for two of the products, [SbPh₃(O₂CCF₃)]₂O and [SbMe₃(O₂CCH₃)]₂O, show that the carboxylates are unidentate. From NMR spectroscopy, the oxygen bridged compounds are hydrolysed by adventitious water giving SbR₃(O₂CR′)OH in solution but when R = phenyl the original compounds can be recovered on crystallisation.