Stibium potassium tartrate, often referred to as potassium antimony tartrate, traces its use back to both scientific and industrial settings. Chemists recognize it from labs as a crystalline solid showing colorless, sometimes pearl-like appearances, shifting toward white powder or fine flakes depending on the handling method. Some know it as "tartar emetic," used in reactions for its antimony content. In storage, the material resists easy melting or decomposition, which marks it out as a reliable raw material for select processes, particularly those in the chemical industry where specialized reactions call for specific properties.
The chemical formula for stibium potassium tartrate stands as K(SbO)C4H4O6 · ½H2O, highlighting its hybrid of organic and inorganic elements. Visualizing its structure brings to mind a network—antimony (Sb) pairs with tartrate, and potassium ions float close, all anchored by a fractional water molecule. As a complex salt, this combination imparts specific physical and chemical traits that control how the substance dissolves, reacts, and interacts. Standard methods confirm its composition, and regulatory shipping or trade leans on the HS Code, which classifies it under 2918.19 for international logistics and customs. Knowing this number avoids confusion in global movement, making procurement and compliance easier for buyers and handlers.
Stibium potassium tartrate typically arrives as a crystalline solid. Depending on manufacturing, it appears in shimmering crystals, translucent pearls, or as a dense, powdered substance, giving factories flexibility in dosing and controlling process flow. Some batches arrive as small flakes, which mix with liquids rapidly, whereas the powdered variant disperses evenly for broader applications. Density hovers around 2.6 g/cm³, which sets it apart from other tartrates and salts encountered in the lab. This density means that in storage bins or during blending, it sits firmly rather than puffing up or clinging to surfaces, reducing waste and exposure. As a water-soluble chemical, it dissolves readily at room temperature, producing a clear solution that can be tested, measured, or delivered for further reactions without excess heating or energy use.
Handling stibium potassium tartrate requires vigilance—antimony salts as a class present toxicity that should never be ignored. Product labels carry warnings: the substance acts as a strong emetic if swallowed, triggering vomiting and, at larger doses, more severe reactions. Prolonged skin exposure or inhalation of fine powder risks irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Anyone who’s ever cracked open a bag of the powder in a poorly ventilated lab knows the sharp, dry feeling in the throat almost instantly. Standard practice involves gloves, tight goggles, and working within fume hoods. Talking from personal experience, a slip-up with ventilation or a torn glove underscores the risks. Any solid or liquid form—be it flake, pearl, crystal, or solution—demands respect in handling, storage in sealed containers, away from acids, strong bases, and especially from hands that forget good lab practice. Emergency measures focus on direct washing, isolation, and in case of ingestion, observing for both gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms. Storage stays straightforward: a cool, dry, and secure place, with containers clearly labeled as hazardous.
This compound serves as a crucial raw material for chemical syntheses, primarily valued for the antimony ion it delivers in a predictable, soluble form. Some applications include usage as a reagent in analytical chemistry, in tanning and dyeing fields, or in the production of certain pharmaceuticals. Experience from the lab bench confirms—few other antimony compounds dissolve as smoothly or offer a consistent strength in solution. This reliability limits waste and ensures outcomes align with both research and industrial requirements. Factory managers and lab directors spot the value in this density and solubility, as less dusting or clumping translates into fewer material losses and safer interiors.
Density at 2.6 g/cm³ creates a solid that both stores efficiently and pours with ease. Whether scooped as flakes or measured as powder, it does not clump or compress excessively, making it manageable in both small and large-scale uses. Dissolution in water varies with temperature, but at room temperature, solubility stays high, forming stable, ready solutions. Contact with air or humidity does not dramatically affect potency over short periods, but longer storage always calls for low-moisture environments to avoid clumping or chemical alteration. Mixing with acids rapidly produces new antimony compounds; strong oxidizers often cause violent reactions, so lab workers must respect the product’s reactive potential.
Many factories have shifted toward sealed, pre-weighed packs to curb accidental exposure, reducing risks for staff in fast-moving production lines. Some research zones look for antimony-free alternatives where possible, but in processes where its properties remain irreplaceable, enforcing strict safety controls remains non-negotiable. Automated dispensing, training refreshers, and investment in personal protection drive down incident rates—direct feedback from teams after such upgrades shows marked improvement in both safety and product integrity. Sustainable handling focuses on proper waste management: antimony, being a heavy metal, presents environmental risks if dumped or washed away. Investment in dedicated waste processing, spill collection systems, and rigorous output monitoring keeps harmful residues out of public waterways or regular landfill.
Stibium potassium tartrate, formula K(SbO)C4H4O6 · ½H2O, classifies under HS Code 2918.19, offers a density near 2.6 g/cm³, and presents as crystal, pearl, flake, or powder. Expect high water solubility, reliable reaction performance, but also view it as hazardous—serious harm occurs with direct ingestion or long-term exposure, demanding professional handling from delivery to disposal. The raw material shines in certain niche areas, especially wherever controlled, soluble antimony finds demand, and its robust, solid state aids material conservation in storage and delivery. Effective workplace practices, waste control, and ongoing training stand out as the most practical tools for preserving both safety and environmental health.
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