Antimony

What is Antimony?

Antimony is part of the nitrogen group (Group 15). It is a metallic element that comes in a variety of allotropic forms. Antimony is a glossy, silvery, bluish-white solid with a flaky texture. It is extremely fragile. Mostly, it appears as the gray sulfide mineral stibnite.

Where is Antimony obtained?

Although antimony is a rare element, it can be found in trace amounts in more than 100 different types of minerals. Most frequently, it is discovered as antimony(III) sulfide.  It is obtained through the process of roasting the antimony(III) sulfide to the oxide state and subsequently reducing it with carbon,. More so, about 88% of the antimony in the world is made in China, Tajikistan, Russia, and Bolivia.

History of Antimony

The ancients were aware of antimony and its compounds, and there is a 5,000-year-old antimony vase in the Louvre in Paris. During the 16th century BC, an Egyptian papyrus made mention of antimony sulfide (Sb2S3). This pigment’s naturally occurring black form, known as khol, was previously applied as mascara. The temptress Jezebel was known for using this type of mascara.

Yellow lead antimonite was another color used by the Chaldean (inhabitants of Southern Iraq) in the sixth and seventh century BC. This was discovered in the glazing of decorative bricks in Babylon and dates from Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. In Medieval Times, antimony was widely used to harden lead. Some people took it as a laxative pill.

Classification, Properties and Characteristics of Antimony

Antimony belongs to the metalloid group of chemical elements, and because of its metalloid status, antimony exhibits certain metallic characteristics but is not sufficient to be categorized as a genuine metal. It physically behaves like sulfur but the chemical structure is similar to that of the typical metal element.

The conductivities of antimony are less than those of most metals in both electrical and thermal directions. The most usual characteristic of antimony is crystalline solid, brittle, and flammable. In addition, antimony has the peculiar quality of expanding as it freezes, just like water.

Lewis Dot Structure of Antimony

Atomic Data of Antimony

Physical Properties of Antimony

Color	Silvery bluish/white
Odor	Odorless
Taste	Tasteless
Atomic Mass	121.760
Weight	121.76 u
Density	6.68
Atomic Radius	2.06 Å
Ionization Energy	830.583kJ mol−1
Covalent Radius	1.40Å
Ionic Radius	0.245 nm (-3); 0.062 nm (+5); 0.076 nm (+3)
Electronic Gain Enthalpy	100.924 kJ mol−1
Electron Negativity	2.05
Electron Affinity	100.924 kJ mol−1
Melting Point	630.628°C, 1167.13°F, 903.778 K
Boiling Point	1587°C, 2889°F, 1860 K

Chemical Properties of Antimony 

Atomic Number	51
Group	15
Period	5
Block	p
Electronic Configuration	[Kr] 4d105s25p3
Combustion	Can be flammable in powder and dust form
Chemical Reactivity	Fairly Reactive
Valency of Element	5

Different States of Antimony

Antimony is a metalloid element that is solid at room temperature. It melts once desired temperature is reached. 

Uses of Antimony

• Antimony is widely used in the electronics sector, specifically in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices.
• It is used to alloy other metals like lead to significantly increase its strength and toughness.
• Alloys consisting of lead and antimony are used in batteries, cable sheathing, and bullets.
• Some antimony compounds are used to make pants, pottery, glass, enamels, and other flame-retardant materials.
• Antimony alloys are useful in manufacturing typefaces for printing. The result is clear and sharp printing.
• Materials used for machinery bearings like Babbit metals are made from metal alloys like copper, tin, lead, and antimony primarily because of their strength and slippery characteristics.

Price of Antimony 

The cost of antimony fluctuates depending on supply and demand. Pure antimony costs around $4.5 per 100 grams. It costs cheaper if you purchase in bulk.

Interesting facts about Antimony

• Don’t you know that the name antimony was derived after anti and monos, Greek words meaning “a metal not found alone?” It is named that way because antimony always exists with another chemical element.
• Antimony’s chemical symbol “Sb” was derived from its historical name “stibium.” It comes from the Greek word “stibi”, which means “mark.” Looking back at antimony’s history, it was previously used to make black eye makeup.
• Don’t you know that antimony has biblical references? In the Old Testament, Queen Jezebel used a compound of antimony for makeup purposes.
• You should not inhale or ingest antimony because it can be poisonous. Although antimony has been used for various medicinal purposes such as laxatives. It is not practiced today because of the potential health danger associated with antimony.
• Don’t you know that one of the presumed reasons for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s early death was antimony? It is believed that his doctor poisoned him using a toxic antimony drug.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/51/antimony
2. https://www.britannica.com/science/antimony
3. https://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/sb.htm
4. https://www.livescience.com/37390-antimony.html
5. https://www.chemicool.com/elements/antimony.html
6. https://www.thoughtco.com/antimony-element-facts-606498
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimony
8. https://study.com/learn/lesson/antimony-symbols-uses-facts.html
9. https://byjus.com/chemistry/antimony/
10. https://www.psanalytical.com/information/antimony.html