Kristallstruktur, thermische Ausdehnung und Farbwechsel von (Me3Ge)2Sb-Sb(GeMe3)2 und anderen Distibanen

Abstract Single crystals of the distibanes (Me3M)4Sb2 (1: M = Si, 2: M = Ge) are obtained by the oxidation in air of (Me3M)3Sb. The crystal structure of 2 is reported. 2 forms linear chains of distibane molecules in trans conformation with Sb ··· Sb contacts of 386 pm at −110°C and 390 pm at 22°C. The thermal expansion of crystals of 2 and (Me3Sn)4Sb2 (3) has been determined. UV-VIS spectra of 1–3, Me4Sb2 (4), Et4Sb2 (5), and Ph4Sb2 (6) in different phases have been recorded. The spectra of 1–5 are consistent with the visible colour changes.