Antimony oxychloride explained

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.^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]}

Alternative historical names

• mercurius vitæ ("mercury of life")
• powder of algaroth^[6]
• algarel
• Pulvis angelicus.

Synthesis

Dissolving antimony trichloride in water yields antimony oxychloride:

SbCl₃ + H₂O → SbOCl + 2 HCl

References

1. Mayerová. Zuzana. Johnsson. Mats. Lidin. Sven. The structure of onoratoite, (Br) revisited. Solid State Sciences. 8. 7. 2006. 849–854. 1293-2558. 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2006.04.010.
2. Menchetti. S.. Sabelli. C.. Trosti-Ferroni. R.. The structures of onoratoite, Sb8O11Cl2 and Sb8O11Cl2.6H2O. Acta Crystallographica Section C. 40. 9. 1984. 1506–1510. 0108-2701. 10.1107/S0108270184008532. 1984AcCrC..40.1506M .
3. Belluomini. G.. Fornaseri. M.. Nicoletti. M.. Onoratoite, a new antimony oxychloride, from Cetine di Cotorniano, Rosia (Siena, Italy). Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society. 36. 284. 2018. 1037–1044. 0369-0148. 10.1180/minmag.1968.036.284.01.
4. Roper. Adam J.. Leverett. Peter. Murphy. Timothy D.. Williams. Peter A.. The stability of onoratoite, Sb8O11Cl2, in the supergene environment. Mineralogical Magazine. 78. 7. 2018. 1671–1675. 0026-461X. 10.1180/minmag.2014.078.7.10. 99331237.
5. Lidin. Sven. Johnsson. Mats. Hugonin. Zuzana. Modulations in the onoratoite system. Solid State Sciences. 11. 7. 2009. 1198–1205. 1293-2558. 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2009.03.009. 2009SSSci..11.1198L.
6. Book: Lavoisier, Antoine-Laurent de (1743-1794). Auteur du texte. Traité élémentaire de chimie, présenté dans un ordre nouveau, et d'après les découvertes modernes; Avec figures; Par M. Lavoisier,.... A Paris, chez Cuchet, libraire, rue & hôtel Serpente. M. DCC. LXXXIX. Sous le privilège de l'Académie des sciences & de la Société royale de médecine. 1789. France. Préliminaire XXV, "poudre d'algaroth". fr. Treatise Elementary of Chemistry, Presented in a New Order, and after the Discoveries Modern; with Figures; by M. Lavoisier, ... (author of text).

Further reading

• Web site: Chambers. Ephraim. Cyclopaedia, or, An universal dictionary of arts and sciences. 1728. 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:
• 10.1002/zaac.19030330137. Das System (SbCl3-HCl-H2O). 1902. Van Bemmelen. J. M.. Meerburg. P. A.. Noodt. U. Huber. Zeitschrift für Anorganische Chemie. 33. 272–310.
• Book: Traité de l'antimoine. Lémery. Nicolas. 1707.
• 10.1002/ckon.19990060403. Chemiehistorische Experimente: Erze als Ausgangsprodukte für die Herstellung von Arzneimitteln. 1999. Soukup. Rudolf Werner. Chemkon. 6. 4. 171–177.
• 10.1107/S056774087800833X. The crystal structure of antimony(III) chloride oxide Sb4O5Cl2. 1978. Särnstrand. C.. Acta Crystallographica Section B. 34. 8. 2402–2407. 1978AcCrB..34.2402S. free.
• 10.1021/ed052p189. Synthesis, properties, and hydrolysis of antimony trichloride. 1975. Hentz. F. C.. Long. G. G.. Journal of Chemical Education. 52. 3. 189. 1975JChEd..52..189H.
• 10.3891/acta.chem.scand.01-0178. On the Crystal Structure of the Antimony Oxychloride Sb4O5Cl2 and Isomorphous Oxybromide. 1947. Edstrand. Maja. Brodersen. Rolf. Sillén. Lars Gunnar. Linnasalmi. Annikki. Laukkanen. Pentti. Acta Chemica Scandinavica. 1. 178–203. free.
• 10.1002/jlac.18691520307. VI. Ueber krystallisirtes Algarothpulver und Antimonoxychlorür. 1869. Schaeffer. L.. Annalen der Chemie und Pharmacie. 152. 3. 314–318.
• Hydrolysis of Antimony(III)-Hydrochloric Acid Solution at 25°C . 25 May 2013 . 23 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210423084208/https://www.jim.or.jp/journal/e/pdf3/44/08/1624.pdf . dead .
• 10.1080/14786444708645830. On the preparation and composition of the salts of antimony. 1847. Peligot. M.E.. Philosophical Magazine . Series 3. 31. 207. 230–233.
• Book: Historia di Verona . 441 . Rossi . 25 May 2013. Moscardo . Lodovico . 1668 .
• 10.1002/zaac.19613120503 . Über Antimon(V)-oxidchloride . Zeitschrift für Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie . 312 . 5–6 . 237–243 . 1961 . Dehnicke . Kurt . de .