Stibnite
403400
224479129
2008-07-09T00:55:46Z
Smokefoot
698909
the mascara bit was already there, except the kohl link. Sb2S3 has no applications. Biblical ref to Jezebel's using Sb2S3-based mascara unverified
{{Infobox mineral
| name = Stibnite
| category =
| boxwidth =
| boxbgcolor =
| image = Stibnite.jpg
| caption = Stibnite in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History
| formula = [[antimony]] [[sulfide]] (Sb<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub>)
| molweight =
| color = Steel gray to dull gray. Black [[iridescent]] [[tarnish]] may be present
| habit = Massive, radiating and elongated crystals. Massive and granular
| system = Orthorhombic
| twinning =
| cleavage = Perfect
| fracture = Small-scale subconchoidal
| mohs = 2
| luster = Splendent on fresh crystals surfaces, otherwise metallic
| refractive = Opaque
| opticalprop =
| birefringence =
| pleochroism =
| streak = Similar to color
| gravity = 4.56 - 4.62
| melt =
| fusibility =
| diagnostic =
| solubility = decomposed with [[hydrochloric acid]]
| diaphaneity =
| other =
| var1 = Metastibnite | var1text = Earthy, reddish deposits
}}
'''Stibnite''', sometimes called '''antimonite''', is a [[sulfide]] [[mineral]] with the [[chemical formula|formula]] [[antimony|Sb]]<sub>2</sub>[[sulfur|S]]<sub>3</sub>. This soft grey material crystallizes in an [[orthorhombic]] space group. It is the most important source for the [[metaloid]] antimony.<ref>Sabina C. Grund, K. Hanusch, H. J. Breunig, H. U. Wolf, “Antimony and Antimony Compounds” in Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2006, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. {{DOI|10.1002/14356007.a03 055.pub2}}</ref>
==Formation, structure, reactivity==
Sb<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> forms when antimony(III) compounds are treated with [[hydrogen sulfide]]. This reaction gives a black precipitate:
:2 Sb<sup>3+</sup> + 3 [[hydrogen|H]]<sub>2</sub>S → Sb<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> + 6 H<sup>+</sup>
This reaction is reversed by [[hydrochloric acid]].
Stibnite is attacked by potassium hydroxide solution and dissolves in solutions of [[polysulfide]] ions to give polysulfido complexes.<ref>Martin, T. M.; Schimek, G. L.; Pennington, W. T. and Kolis, J. W., "Synthesis of Two New Antimony Sulfide Clusters: Structures of [PPh<sub>4</sub>]<sub>2</sub>[Sb<sub>6</sub>S<sub>6</sub>] and [PPh<sub>4</sub>]<sub>2</sub>[Sb<sub>4</sub>S<sub>6</sub>]", Journal of the Chemical Society, Dalton Transactions 1995, 501-2.</ref> Related reactions were once used in university courses on [[qualitative inorganic analysis]].
Stibnite has a structure similar to that of arsenic trisulfide, [[arsenic|As]]<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub>. The Sb(III) centers, which are pyramidal and three-coordinate, are linked via bent two-coordinate sulfide ions.
==Uses==
Stibnite has no significant uses, except as a precursor to antimony oxide, which is the most commonly marketed form of antimony. In ancient times, it was used as [[mascara]] called [[Kohl (cosmetics)|kohl]].
==Occurrence==
Small deposits of stibnite are common, but large deposits are rare. It occurs in [[Canada]], [[Mexico]], [[Peru]], [[Japan]], [[China]], [[Germany]], [[Romania]], [[Italy]], [[France]], [[England]], [[Algeria]], and [[Kalimantan]], [[Borneo]]. In the [[United States]] it is found in [[Arkansas]], [[Idaho]], [[Nevada]], [[California]], and [[Alaska]]. Large iridescent stibnite crystals are found in Japan.{{Fact|date=May 2007}}
[[Image:Stibnite_American_museum_of_natural_history.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Stibnite specimen at the [[American Museum of Natural History]]]]
As of May 2007, the largest specimen on public display (1000 pounds) is at the [[American Museum of Natural History]].<ref>{{cite web| url =http://www.amnh.org/science/papers/stibnite.php | title=American Museum of Natural History, Spectacular Stibnite| publisher=[[American Museum of Natural History]]|accessdate=2007-05-27}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[List of minerals]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/20070406/100505.shtml 1000 Pound Stibnite!!]
[[Category:Antimony minerals]]
[[Category:Sulfide minerals]]
[[Category:Alchemical substances]]
[[Category:Pyrotechnic fuels]]
[[ca:Estibina]]
[[cs:Antimonit]]
[[de:Stibnit]]
[[es:Estibina]]
[[eu:Estibina]]
[[fr:Stibine]]
[[it:Stibnite]]
[[hu:Antimonit]]
[[nl:Stibniet]]
[[ja:輝安鉱]]
[[nds:Stibnit]]
[[pl:Antymonit]]
[[pt:Estibina]]
[[sk:Antimonit]]
[[uk:Антимоніт]]