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Chemistry of Antimony (Z=51)

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    Antimony and its compounds have been known for centuries. Scientific study of the element began during the early 17th century, much of the important work being done by Nicolas Lemery. The name of the element comes from the Greek anti + monos for "not alone", while the modern symbol is rooted in the Latin-derived name of the common ore, stibnite. Antimony is a hard, brittle metalloid which is alloyed with other metals to increase hardness. It is also used in some semi-conductor devices. The recovery of elemental antimony parallels that of arsenic: the sulfide ore (stibnite) is roasted in air and then heated with carbon.

    Antimony trisulfide

    Antimony trisulfide, \(Sb_2S_3\), is a sulfide mineral commonly called stibnite or antimonite. Antimony trisulfide exists as a gray/black crystalline solid (orthorhombic crystals) and an amorphous red-orange powder. It turns black due to oxidation by air. Antimony trisulfide is the most important source for antimony. It is insoluble in water and melts at 550°C. The chemical symbol of antimony (Sb) is derived from stibnite.

    Amorphous (red to yellow-orange) antimony trisulfide can be prepared by treating an antimony trichloride solution with hydrogen sulfide:

    \[ 2 SbCl_3 + 3 H_2S \rightarrow Sb_2S_3 + 6 HCl \nonumber \]

    When antimony trisulfide is melted with iron at approximately 600°C, the following reaction yields elementary antimony:

    \[Sb_2S_3 + 3 Fe \rightarrow 2 Sb + 3 FeS \nonumber \]

    \(Sb_2S_3\) is used as a pigment, in pyrotechnics (glitter and fountain mixtures) and on safety matches. In combination with antimony oxides it is also used as a yellow pigment in glass and porcelain. Antimony trisulfide photoconductors are used in vidicons for CCTV.

    Contributors and Attributions

    Stephen R. Marsden

    Chemistry of Antimony (Z=51) is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.