Antimony Potassium Tartrate, molecular formula K2Sb2(C4H2O6)2·3H2O, carries the HS Code 28332200 and stands as a compound that has served multiple industries for over a century. Industry professionals often call this material “Tartar Emetic” on the shop floor, in lab discussions, or in textbooks. The molecule contains antimony trivalent ion complexed with tartrate anion and potassium ions, producing a coordination compound handled with care due to its toxicity. Its crystals glisten, sometimes appearing as flakes, though batches also come in powder or as granular pearls, depending on the manufacturer’s crystallization and drying process.
Crystals of Antimony Potassium Tartrate dissolve in water, forming a clear, colorless solution, but resist dissolution in alcohol. Its density, close to 2.6 g/cm³, lines up with other heavy metal salts. Experts recognize its solid state stability, although prolonged exposure to damp air can introduce slow hydration changes. The product feels slippery, and crystals break apart easily under modest pressure. Melting occurs at a relatively low temperature for a salt of this class, about 100°C, where dehydration and decomposition kick off—often releasing acrid fumes that sting the eyes and nose if proper ventilation is missing. Researchers value its high solubility, which has driven its use as a reagent in analytical chemistry and textile printing.
Chemists working with Antimony Potassium Tartrate see a molecule with a central antimony ion held tightly by tartrate groups, the oxygen-rich structure helping shuttle electrons and making the compound reactive in the right conditions. Laboratories often test the product using X-ray diffraction, confirming the orthorhombic crystal structure. Experienced handlers watch the shape of the flakes and the clear-cut transparent appearance that can sometimes look faintly pearly. The scent, almost metallic, quickly reminds longtime users of its hazardous character.
The main use of Antimony Potassium Tartrate has been as a chemical reagent: for centuries, it played a notorious role as an emetic in medicine, now largely abandoned due to its toxic effects. Textile manufacturers and dyeing houses continue using small quantities, favoring the fast-acting nature of the molecules during mordanting processes. In the lab, this salt helps precipitate metals or serves in redox titrations, showcasing its robust chemical reactivity. Despite its utility, the substance remains hazardous; skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion can bring nausea, vomiting, or severe harm. Modern workplace safety guidelines require chemical goggles, nitrile gloves, and chemical fume hoods when measuring, weighing, or dissolving the powder. Disposal needs careful attention to prevent environmental release, since antimony compounds linger in soil and groundwater long after being discarded.
Supplying Antimony Potassium Tartrate depends on sourcing antimony trioxide, tartaric acid (usually as potassium tartrate), filtered water, and precise conditions for reaction and crystallization. Most production operates in controlled environments, sometimes in regions with established mining for antimony, particularly China and a few European countries. Fluctuations in ore quality, strikes, and environmental regulations carry ripple effects through the supply chain, sometimes making the material scarce or expensive for end users. Transparency and traceability in the raw antimony supply help labs, pharmaceutical historians, and textile experts track quality and origin, issues that remain in focus as global demand for specialty chemicals shifts.
Every year, poisoning reports linked to antimony compounds remind the chemical industry of the dangers involved. The toxic nature comes from the way antimony disrupts enzymes in the human body, especially affecting the liver and heart if exposures run too high. Small spills call for gloves and a wet wipe-down, but major releases should trigger ventilator use and expert clean-up crews trained for heavy metal decontamination. Chemical safety classes underline the importance of never eating, drinking, or smoking around laboratory benches where antimony compounds rest, a lesson passed down after generations of occupational illnesses. Emerging research points toward less-harmful alternatives for certain roles, using iron or aluminum salts, though these sometimes lack the specific reactivity of the antimony tartrate molecule. The call for green chemistry solutions grows more urgent as countries enforce stricter chemical hazard laws and phase out legacy materials.
Handling Antimony Potassium Tartrate demands experience, respect for chemical hazards, and up-to-date awareness of regulations. Its continued use in specialized industrial and laboratory settings keeps demand steady, but the safeguards that protect people and the environment today come from decades of hard-earned lessons. Tracking product quality, storage practices, and safe disposal ensures risks are managed—and help explain why some old-line chemicals, even after centuries of use, never lose their need for careful, knowledgeable handling.
Providing high-quality chemical products and logistics solutions for global trade partners.
