Antimony Trichloride: Stibnite Dissolved in Hydrochloric Acid and Distilled (Thorpe 1912)

Antimony sulphide ore dissolves in strong hydrochloric acid with a little nitric acid. The solution is boiled down and then distilled from a retort; the first runnings are thrown away and the rest is pure antimony trichloride, the old 'butter of antimony'. Result: white, buttery antimony trichloride that melts at 73.2 °C and boils at 223.5 °C. It takes up water from the air. Source: Thorpe, Dictionary of Applied Chemistry vol. 1 (1912), p. 282. Not given: amounts, acid strength, how the retort is heated. The dissolving ore gives off hydrogen sulphide, a poisonous gas. Picture drawn by Youblob.