Gaseous SbI3 is a molecular, pyramidal species as anticipated by VSEPR theory. In the solid state, however, the Sb center is surrounded by an octahedron of six iodide ligands, three of which are closer and three more distant.
Gaseous SbI3 is a molecular, pyramidal structure as predicted by VSEPR theory. In contrast, in its solid form, the Sb center is surrounded by an octahedron of six iodide ligands, with three being closer and three more distant.