Sodium thioantimoniate

Chembox new
Name = Sodium thioantimoniate
IUPACName = Sodium thioantimoniate
Section2 = Chembox Properties
Formula = Na₃(SbS₄)9H₂O
Appearance = Yellow crystals
Density = 1.806 g/cm³, solid
MeltingPt = 87°C (360.15 K)
BoilingPt =
Section8 = Chembox Related
OtherAnions = Potassium thioantimoniate
OtherCpds = Antimony(III) sulfide

Sodium thioantimoniate, also known as Schlippe's salt, is an inorganic compound with the formula Na₃SbS₄^.9H₂O. This sulfosalt is named after K. F. Schlippe (1799-1867). Sodium thioantimoniate is used to make "quinsulfide antimony," Sb₂S₅. This salt consists of the tetrahedral SbS₄^3- anion (r_Sb-S = 2.33 Å) and sodium cations, which are hydrated. [Krebs, B., "Thio- and Seleno Compounds of Main Group Elements - New Inorganic Oligomers and Polymers", Angewandte Chemie, 1983, volume 95, pages 113-34.] [K. Mereiter, A. Preisinger and H. Guth “Hydrogen bonds in Schlippe's salt: refinement of the crystal structures of Na₃SbS₄^.9H₂O by X-ray diffraction and Na₃SbS₄^.9D₂O by neutron diffraction at room temperature” Acta Crystallographica 1979, vol. B35, 19-25. doi:10.1107/S0567740879002442.] Related salts are known for different cations including ammonium and potassium.

Preparation

Sodium thioantimoniate is prepared by the reaction of antimony trisulfide, elemental sulfur, and aqueous sulfide source.:3 Na₂S + 2 S + Sb₂S₃ + 9 H₂O → 2 Na₃SbS₄ • 9 H₂O

The sulfide can be generated indirectly by the thermal reaction of elemental sulfur with sodium hydroxide or even charcoal::Sb₂S₃ + 8 NaOH + 6 S → 2 Na₃SbS₄ + Na₂SO₄ + 4 H₂OIn the latter route, a mixture of sodium sulfate (16 parts) is reduced by fusion with charcoal (4-5 parts) in the presence of antimony sulfide (13 parts). The melt is extracted into water which is treated with sulfur (4 parts). Upon evaporation of the solution , the salt crystallizes as large tetrahedra, which are easily soluble in water. The anhydrous salt melts easily on heating, and in the hydrated condition, on exposure to moist air becomes coated with a red film.

The required antimony(III) sulfide is prepared in the usual way by treatment of virtually any Sb(III) compound with sulfide sources::2 SbCl₃ + 3 H₂S → Sb₂S₃ + 6 HCl

Applications

The Schlippes Salt was used to generate antimony(V) sulfide, which was used as an "amplifier" in silver-based photography, in matches as a flammable component, and for vulcanizing rubber. It is used in the electrolytic deposition of zinc.Fact|date=March 2008

Related compounds

*Antimony(III)sulfide, Sb₂S₃
*"quinsulfide antimony" or "gold sulfur" Sb₂S₅

References