The tetrameric trichloroantimony(V) methylphosphonate (1) is synthezis
ed by reaction of antimony(V) chloride and methanephosphonic acid. It
crystallizes monoclinic in the space group P2(1)/a with a = 1813.6 pm,
b = 1024.0 pm, c = 1831.1 pm, beta = 100.5 degrees and Z = 4. In the
unit cell there are chiral molecules which lose their chirality in sol
ution. In solution they are dynamical and have an other conformation a
s in the solid state. The NMR, vibrational and mass spectra are discus
sed.