Antimony oxychloride

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.

Antimony oxychloride^[1]

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

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.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

Alternative historical names

• mercurius vitæ ("mercury of life")
• powder of algaroth^[7]
• algarel
• Pulvis angelicus.

Synthesis

Dissolving antimony trichloride in water yields antimony oxychloride:

SbCl₃ + H₂O → SbOCl + 2 HCl