Antimony oxychloride, known since the 15th century, has been known by a plethora of alchemical names. Since the compound functions as both an emetic and a laxative, it was originally used as a purgative.
History Its production was first described by Basil Valentine in Currus Triumphalis Antimonii. In 1659, Johann Rudolf Glauber gave a relatively exact chemical interpretation of the reaction. Vittorio Algarotti introduced the substance into medicine, and derivatives of his name (algarot, algoroth) were associated with this compound for many years. The exact composition was unknown for a very long time. The suggestion of SbOCl being a mixture of antimony trichloride and antimony oxide or pure SbOCl were raised. Today the hydrolysis of antimony trichloride is understood; first the SbOCl oxychloride is formed which later forms Sb4O5Cl2.
Natural occurrence Neither SbOCl nor the latter compound occur naturally. However, onoratoite is a known Sb-O-Cl mineral, its composition being Sb8Cl2O11.
Alternative historical names mercurius vitæ ("mercury of life") powder of algaroth algarel Pulvis angelicus.
Synthesis Dissolving antimony trichloride in water yields antimony oxychloride:
SbCl3 + H2O → SbOCl + 2 HCl
References
Further reading Chambers, Ephraim (1728). "Cyclopaedia, or, An universal dictionary of arts and sciences". Retrieved 25 May 2013. José Rodríguez has published a complete study devoted to the commercial network of chemical medicines developed by Vittorio Algarotti: The First Commercial Network of a Chymical Medicine: Van Bemmelen, J. M.; Meerburg, P. A.; Noodt, U. Huber (1902). "Das System (SbCl3-HCl-H2O)". Zeitschrift für Anorganische Chemie. 33: 272–310. doi:10.1002/zaac.19030330137. Lémery, Nicolas (1707). Traité de l'antimoine. Soukup, Rudolf Werner (1999). "Chemiehistorische Experimente: Erze als Ausgangsprodukte für die Herstellung von Arzneimitteln". CHEMKON. 6 (4): 171–177. doi:10.1002/ckon.19990060403. Särnstrand, C. (1978). "The crystal structure of antimony(III) chloride oxide Sb4O5Cl2". Acta Crystallographica Section B. 34 (8): 2402–2407. Bibcode:1978AcCrB..34.2402S. doi:10.1107/S056774087800833X. Hentz, F. C.; Long, G. G. (1975). "Synthesis, properties, and hydrolysis of antimony trichloride". Journal of Chemical Education. 52 (3): 189. Bibcode:1975JChEd..52..189H. doi:10.1021/ed052p189. Edstrand, Maja; Brodersen, Rolf; Sillén, Lars Gunnar; Linnasalmi, Annikki; Laukkanen, Pentti (1947). "On the Crystal Structure of the Antimony Oxychloride Sb4O5Cl2 and Isomorphous Oxybromide". Acta Chemica Scandinavica. 1: 178–203. doi:10.3891/acta.chem.scand.01-0178. Schaeffer, L. (1869). "VI. Ueber krystallisirtes Algarothpulver und Antimonoxychlorür". Annalen der Chemie und Pharmacie. 152 (3): 314–318. doi:10.1002/jlac.18691520307. "Hydrolysis of Antimony(III)-Hydrochloric Acid Solution at 25°C" (PDF). Materials Transactions. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2013. Peligot, M.E. (1847). "On the preparation and composition of the salts of antimony". Philosophical Magazine. Series 3. 31 (207): 230–233. doi:10.1080/14786444708645830. Moscardo, Lodovico (1668). Historia di Verona. Rossi. p. 441. Retrieved 25 May 2013. Dehnicke, Kurt (1961). "Über Antimon(V)-oxidchloride". Zeitschrift für Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie (in German). 312 (5–6): 237–243. Bibcode:1961ZAACh.312..237D. doi:10.1002/zaac.19613120503.