The gas-phase on-line formation of antimony oxide trihalides, SbOX3 where X = F and Cl and their identifications by infrared spectroscopy

Antimony oxide trihalides, SbOX3 molecules, where X = F or Cl have been produced, by means of an on-line process, using antimony trichloride, SbOCl3 as starting material passed over heated silver oxide at 230 degrees C. The antimony oxide trichloride SbOCl3 formed is then reacted with sodium fluoride, NaF at 550 degrees C to produce antimony oxide trifluoride, SbOF3. The products have been characterized by the IR spectra of their vapors. Low resolution gas-phase Fourier transform infrared spectra show strong bands centered at 1272 and 1217 cm(-1), assigned to nu1(a1), the O=Sb stretching fundamental of SbOF3 and SbOCl3, respectively. Both observed bands show typical PQR-type structure with a strong Q-head.