Antimony oxychloride, known since the 15th century, has been known by a plethora of alchemical names. Since the compound functions as both an
emetic
Vomiting (also known as emesis and throwing up) is the involuntary, forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose.
Vomiting can be the result of ailments like food poisoning, gastroenteri ...
and a
laxative
Laxatives, purgatives, or aperients are substances that loosen stools and increase bowel movements. They are used to treat and prevent constipation.
Laxatives vary as to how they work and the side effects they may have. Certain stimulant, lubri ...
, it was originally used as a purgative.
History
Its production was first described by
Basil Valentine
Basil Valentine is the Anglicised version of the name Basilius Valentinus, ostensibly a 15th-century alchemy, alchemist, possibly Canon (priest), Canon of the Benedictine Priory of Saint Peter in Erfurt, Erfurt, Germany but more likely a pseudon ...
in Currus Triumphalis Antimonii. In 1659
Johann Rudolf Glauber
Johann Rudolf Glauber (10 March 1604 – 16 March 1670) was a German-Dutch alchemy, alchemist and chemist. Some historians of science have described him as one of the first chemical engineers. His discovery of sodium sulfate in 1625 led to t ...
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 Sb
4O
5Cl
2.
Natural occurrence
Neither SbOCl nor the latter compound occur naturally. However, onoratoite is a known Sb-O-Cl mineral, its composition being Sb
8Cl
2O
11.
Alternative historical names
* mercurius vitæ ("mercury of life")
* powder of algaroth
* algarel
* Pulvis angelicus.
Synthesis
Dissolving
antimony trichloride
Antimony trichloride is the chemical compound with the formula SbCl3. It is a soft colorless solid with a pungent odor and was known to alchemists as butter of antimony.
Preparation
Antimony trichloride is prepared by reaction of chlorine with an ...
in water yields antimony oxychloride:
:SbCl
3 + H
2O → SbOCl + 2 HCl
References
Further reading
*
*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'':*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
{{antimony compounds
Alchemical substances
Antimony(III) compounds
Emetics
History of pharmacy
Oxychlorides
Drugs with no legal status