from Alchemy key Nettleton....
Artephius’ methods involved two distinct processes, called the
first and second Perfections. In the First Perfection, the alchemist worked
to achieve two things:
Precipitating pure antimony from stibnite (Sb2S3). Pure
antimony, called the Regulus, forms when iron substitutes for
antimony in the sulphide. The reaction is Sb2S3 + 3 Fe >> 2Sb +
3FeS. Iron substitutes for antimony in the salts because iron is
above antimony in reactivity. Iron sulphide (FeS) forms a ‘mat’
that is fused to the Regulus. The products readily part, as the
Regulus is heavier than the fused mat of iron sulphide. Roger
Bacon’s Tract on the Tincture and Oil of Antimonii outlines the
use of iron.
2. Creating Antimony Trichloride (SbCl3), which is a colorless,
transparent liquid or white deliquescent solid. The trihalidation of
antimony only commences when the Regulus moves into
abundance. A pentachloride, (SbCl5) coexists with the
trichloride. The pentachloride sublimates at 4ºC and depresses
the melting point of ‘our Antimony Chloride’ from 73ºC to about
35ºC. SbCl5 is a reddish-yellow oily liquid with an offensive
odor. It readily loses a halogen at room temperature to become
the trichloride. It cannot be distilled on its own without
decomposition. Antimony Trichloride is particularly unusual in
that it is volatile enough to be distilled using glass vessels. Iced
water chills the collection vessel.
The alchemist first obtained stibnite from a mine. Minimum
scoria (clinker in lava, refuse or dross) in the stibnite is best. He
pulverized the stibnite to a powder with a hammer.
The alchemist then obtained the First Agent, Ignis innaturalis
(Natural Fire) or Secret Fire, which was the liquid nitrate salt borne by
man, or simply \"philosophical dew\". Alchemists enhanced this with a chloride such as
the traditional ‘muriate’ of alchemists, ammoniac (Ammonium Chloride
NH4Cl). As potassium salts are amorphous with ammonium salts, they
kept nitrates out by using a potassium-based chloride called Muriate of
Potash (Potassium Chloride KCl). Chloride of Potash is another name for
Muriate of Potash. Nowadays, there are even stronger oxidizing
oxymuriates, such as Chlorate of Potash, which is Potassium Chlorate
(KClO3), and Sodium Chlorate (NaClO3).
The old treatises that suggest adding Nitre, which is Potassium
Nitrate KNO3, also called saltpeter, are in error. Nitre reacts with sal
ammoniac to produce Potassium Chloride and Ammonium Nitrate in the
reaction KNO3 + NH4Cl >> KCl + NH4NO3. Therefore, this is just a long
way around to produce KCl. Ammonium Nitrate decomposes to nitrogen
(N2) and water. However, the alchemist should particularly avoid Nitre
because KNO3 dissolved in SbCl3 produces the highly deadly reddishbrown
Ammonium Nitrate is a fertilizer and explosive. basically all metal nitrates will cause boom. I put just a tiny bit of silver nitrate in the bonfire - hehehe.
Ora et Labora