@article {50085,
	title = {Smallest acyclic tricationic molecule containing a Bis(phosphine)-stabilized low-valent triantimony-based Unit},
	journal = {Nature Communications},
	volume = {17},
	year = {2026},
	month = {MAR},
	pages = {2697},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {<p>
	Element-element bonded multiply charged cationic species are well known as dimers or small cyclic oligomers in the condensed phase. However, the smallest acyclic version, a trinuclear unit possessing greater than a monocationic charge, has remained elusive. Here we introduce a bis(phosphine) supported low valent triantimony-based tricationic compound as a new entrant in this field. Structural elucidation and electronic understanding reveal a W-shaped tricationic unit comprising of a three-center four-electron sigma-bonded triantimony moiety that is terminally capped by bis(phosphine) ligands, with the central antimony atom having two lone pairs of electrons. The unique counter trianion [Sb(O)2(OTf)4]3- (OTf = CF3SO3) possesses reactive polar Sb delta+-O delta- bonds, the structure of which is determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The ensemble of reactive molecular fragments found in this highly charged antimony-based compound makes it thermally unstable. Nonetheless, this fully characterized fleeting species shows a diverse reactivity profile, advancing the isolation of various novel antimony compounds, including the formation of a distinct low-valent antimony-cobalt carbonyl cluster.</p>
},
	doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-70910-5},
	author = {Mukherjee, Nilanjana and Peerless, Benjamin and Nadurata, Vincent L. and Kumar, Vikas and Sangole, Mayur P. and Singh, Kirandeep and Wiedemann, Haakon T. A. and Kay, Christopher W. M. and Kruk, Robert and Weigend, Florian and Dehnen, Stefanie and Gonnade, Rajesh G. and Yildiz, Cem B. and Majumdar, Moumita}
}
