1. Antimony properties

Antimony, with electronic configuration 5s ² 5p ³ , belongs to group VB of Mendeleev's classification. It can lose its 3 p-electrons, giving the anion Sb ³⁺ and, in addition, its 2 s-electrons, giving the anion Sb ⁵⁺ . But it can also gain 3 electrons (octet rule) to form the cation Sb ^3- . We cannot therefore decide whether antimony is metallic or non-metallic, as it is considered to be a semi-metal.