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]]