Antimony oxychloride

Antimony oxychloride

Names
IUPAC name antimony oxide chloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	7791-08-4 N Sb4O5Cl2: 12182-69-3
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image Sb4O5Cl2: Interactive image
ChemSpider	7969749 Sb4O5Cl2: 57524703
ECHA InfoCard	100.029.308
EC Number	232-238-8 Sb4O5Cl2: 235-347-9
PubChem CID	9793982 Sb4O5Cl2: 44151635
UNII	Y7P96CY2ZK N
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID0064880 Sb4O5Cl2: DTXSID70153375
InChI InChI=1S/ClH.O.Sb/h1H;;/q;-2;+3/p-1 Key: LIRSFCJKZQBJRK-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sb4O5Cl2: InChI=1S/2ClH.5O.4Sb/h2*1H;;;;;;;;;/q;;5*-2;4*+3/p-2 Key: QXGIXMVRTVXTKM-UHFFFAOYSA-L
SMILES [O-2].[Cl-].[Sb+3] Sb4O5Cl2: [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Cl-].[Cl-].[Sb+3].[Sb+3].[Sb+3].[Sb+3]
Properties
Chemical formula	SbOCl
Molar mass	173.21 g/mol
Melting point	280 °C (536 °F; 553 K)
Solubility in water	insoluble
Related compounds
Related compounds	Nitrosyl chloride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

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

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. 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). Retrieved 25 May 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
• 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. doi:10.1002/zaac.19613120503.