Triphenylantimony(V) Complexes Based on o-Aminophenols with the Ambivalent N-Aryl Group

Abstract—Triphenylantimony(V) o-amidophenolate complexes (AP-OMe)SbPh₃ (I) and (AP-C(O)Ph)SbPh₃ (II) have been synthesized from N-(2-methoxyphenyl)- and N-(2-benzoylphenyl)-4,6-di-tert-butyl-o-aminophenols. The structures of the complexes in the crystalline state have been determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) (CIF files CCDC 2205058 (I∙n-hexane) and 2205059 (II)). The Sb(1)…O(2) distances in complex I (3.018(3) Å) and Sb(1A)–O(2A) and Sb(1B)–O(2B) distances in two independent molecules A and B in complex II (2.503(3) and 2.878(3) Å, respectively) are less than the sum of the van der Waals radii of the antimony and oxygen atoms, indicating the Sb(1)…O(2) intramolecular interaction. However, the theoretical electron density studies show no interatomic interaction between the antimony atom and the oxygen atom of the methoxy group in the case of complex I but confirm these interactions in complex II. According to the Espinosa–Molins–Lecomte equation, the energy of these interactions is 11.9 and 4.1 kcal/mol for molecules A and B in complex II, respectively.