Aroxytetraaryl antimony compounds. Synthesis, structure, and thermolysis

The reactions of pentaphenylantimony with 3,5-di-tert-butylphenol and of pe nta-p-tolylantimony with 4,6-dibromo-2-methylphenol in toluene at 20 degree sC were used to prepare Ph4SbOC6H3(t-Bu)(2)-3,5 and p-Tol(4)SbOC(6)H(2)Me-2 ,Br-2-4,6, respectively. The structures of the products were established by X-ray diffraction analysis. The Sb atoms in the molecules have trigonal-bi pyramidal coordination with an axial aroxy group. The Sb-O and C-O were fou nd to depend on the nature of substituent in the aroxy group, and an explan ation of this phenomenon was proposed. Thermolysis of (3,5-di-tert-butylphe noxy)tetraphenylantimony at 220 degreesC (1 h) results in quantitative form ation of aryl phenyl ether and triphenylstibine. Thermolysis of (2,6-dimeth ylphenoxy)tetraphenylantimony yields triphenylstibine and 2,2',6,6'-tetrame thyldiphenoquinone.