1825.] Antimony with Chlorine and Sulphur, 42i 



According to calculation, its composition is, 



Antimony 66*72 



Sulphur 33-28 



100-00 



The sulphuret of antimony with 5 atoms of sulphur to 1 of 

 metal, which corresponds to antimonic acid, and by calculation 

 contains 61-59 antimony and 38*41 sulphur, is realized in the 

 golden sulphuret of the shops. The different modes of prepar- 

 ing it are well known. It is also obtained if we pass a current 

 of sulphuretted hydrogen through solutions containing antimonic 

 acid, as, for instance, that of the liquid chloride of antimony in 

 water, to which tartaric acid has been added. The precipitate 

 obtained is of a paler orange colour than the precipitate from 

 solutions of oxide of antimony, and its colour does not change 

 in drying. 



I analyzed the golden sulphuret in two ways ; I dried it at a 

 heat not sufficient to decompose it, till it ceased to lose weight. 

 It had then parted with all its hygrometric moisture. I usually 

 analyzed it by passing a current of dry hydrogen over the heated 

 golden sulphuret. Sulphuretted hydrogen was formed, but no 

 water ; sulphur subHmed, and metallic antimony remained 

 behind. I also analyzed it by aqua regia, to which I added 

 tartaric acid. I separated the undissolved sulphur, and precipi- 

 tated the sulphuric acid by muriate of barytes ; this method, 

 however, is more tedious than that with hydrogen. We do not 

 obtain accurate results by fusing the golden sulphuret in a small 

 matrass in order to convert it into sulphuret of antimony with 

 3 atoms of sulphur, and calculating the composition of the 

 former from the weight of the latter, not only because the sul- 

 phuret of antimony is not absolutely fixed, but also because some 

 Oxide of antimony is formed by the air in the matrass, which 

 produces a crocus antimonii with the sulphur sublimed in its 

 neck. 



I do not mention the results of the analyses which I made of 

 this sulphuret of antimony at a iiiaooimum, because they scarcely 

 differ from the calculated result. 



III. Compounds of Sulphuret of Antimony ivith Oxide of An^ 



timo)iy. 



The compounds in which sulphuret of antimony is combined 

 with oxide of antimony in various proportions are called in the 

 shops by the name of crocus and nitrum antimonii, Kermes has 

 also been supposed to be a similar compound. M. Berzelius, 

 however, has shown that its composition does not differ from 

 that of the sulphuret of antimony with 3 atoms of sulphur, and 

 the analysis. of kermes related above confirms his opinion. 



