Preparation of tertiarybutyldimethylantimony and use thereof

A process for preparing the compound having the formula ((CH.sub.3).sub.3 C)(CH.sub.3).sub.2 Sb which comprises:

• A.) reacting SbX.sub.3 with ((CH.sub.3).sub.3 C)MgX;
• B.) treating the resulting product with (CH.sub.3)MgX;
• and,
• C.) recovering ((CH.sub.3).sub.3 C)(CH.sub.3).sub.2 Sb from the reaction mixture, where X is a halide.

A process or preparing the compound having the formula (CH.sub.3).sub.3 C)(CH.sub.3).sub.2 Sb which comprises:

• A.) reacting antimony trihalide with approximately one equivalent of tertiarybutyl magnesium halide in relation to the antimony trihalide at about -50.degree. C. in an oxygen and water free organic solvent;
• B.) stirring the resulting reaction product at room temperature for at least 12 hours;
• C.) reacting the resulting reaction product with two equivalents of methyl magnesium halide in relation to the antimony trihalide at approximately 0.degree. C. in said solvent;
• D.) stirring the resulting reaction product at room temperature for at least 12 hours;
• E.) adding water to the final reaction mixture to separate the water soluble salts from the organic solvent layer containing the tertiarybutyldimethylantimony product;
• F.) removing the solvent from the organic solvent layer by distillation;
• and
• G.) recovering the tertiarybutyldimethylantimony product;
• wherein the entire process is carried out in an inert atmosphere.