Mixed Antimony Halides

Several compounds which may be described as mixed halides have already been mentioned. Others have been prepared by various methods. The halides of the elements phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, titanium, tin and perhaps germanium, when mixed together, readily undergo reactions which involve an interchange of halogen atoms. The mixed halides so formed, however, have not been isolated.

Antimony Trifluorodichloride, SbF₃Cl₂, may be prepared by the action of chlorine upon antimony trifluoride at a temperature above 70° C. The antimony trifluoride should be dissolved in antimony trichloride, pentachloride or tribromide. If treated with bromine or iodine, the corresponding compounds antimony trifluorodibromide, SbF₃Br₂, and antimony trifluorodiiodide, SbF₃I₂, are formed.

Antimony Bromodiiodide, SbBrI₂, is formed by adding a solution of bromine in chloroform to a solution of ethyldiiodostibine in chloroform. It is obtained as long yellow crystals melting at 88° C.

By the interaction of mercuric bromide with antimony triiodide (preferably in the presence of a suitable organic solvent), the complex compound antimony mercuribromoiodide, SbI₃.6HgBr₂, has been obtained.