Algarot
IUPAC name	Antimony hypochlorite
Properties
Molecular formula	SbOCl
Molar mass	173.21 g/mol
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Algarot is a white emetic powder formerly used in alchemy that consists of a compound of trichloride and trioxide of antimony. It was used as an emetic because it purges violently both through regurgitation and diarrhea.

Contents 1 Alternative names 2 Synthesis 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Alternative names

Algarot is also known as mercurius vitæ ("mercury of life"), emetic powder, powder of algaroth, algarel, antimonious oxychloride, or antimony hypochlorite.

[edit] Synthesis

Historically, algarot was prepared of butter of antimony (antimony trichloride), which was no more than the regulus (purified metal) of that mineral, dissolved in acids, and separated again by means of several lotions with lukewarm water, which absorbed those acids. By collecting all the lotions and evaporating two third parts, what remained was a very acid liquor, called "Spirit of Philosophical Vitriol".

At present, algarot is synthesised by exposing antimony trichloride to water:

SbCl₃ + H₂O → SbOCl + 2 HCl

[edit] References

• Chambers, Ephraim (1728), Cyclopaedia, or, An universal dictionary of arts and sciences, http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/HistSciTech.Cyclopaedia 

[edit] External links

• José Rodríguez have published a complete study devoted to the commercial network of chemical medicines developed by Vittorio Algarotti (1553-1604): The First Commercial Network of a Chymical Medicine:

This article incorporates content from the 1728 Cyclopaedia, a publication in the public domain.

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