Algarot

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 upwards and downwards.

Alternative names

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

Synthesis

Historically, algarot was prepared of butter of antimony (antimony trichloride), which was no more than the regulus 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, like so:

SbCl₃ + H₂O → SbOCl + 2HCl

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: