It serves as a ligand in coordination chemistry[2] and as a reagent in organic synthesis.

Like the related molecules triphenylamine, triphenylphosphine and triphenylarsine, SbPh3 is pyramidal with a propeller-like arrangement of the phenyl groups.

The Sb-C distances average 2.14-2.17 Å and the C-Sb-C angles are 95°.

[3] Triphenylstibine was first reported in 1886, being prepared from antimony trichloride and chlorobenzene:[4] In an alternative method, phenylmagnesium bromide is treated with SbCl3.

[5] Upon treatment with antimony trichloride, triphenylstibine undergoes a redistribution reaction:[6] Stiboranes can be synthesised from triphenylstibine by halogenation: As confirmed by X-ray crystallography, Sb(C6H5)3Cl2 features pentacoordinate Sb(V) with trans-diaxial chloride ligands.