Potassium antimonyltartrate is a chemical compound commonly used in medicine. The word is pronounced /pəˈtæsiəm æntɪˌmoʊnilˈtɑrˌtreɪt/ and is spelled following the rules of English orthography. The letters "ia" are pronounced as the short "i" sound followed by a schwa. The digraph "nt" is pronounced as /nt/, and the ending "-ate" is pronounced as /eɪt/. The word is often abbreviated to KSbC4H4O6. Spellings of this word follow the conventions of scientific nomenclature and demonstrate the importance of proper spelling in technical writing.
Potassium antimonyltartrate, commonly known as tartar emetic or tartarized antimony, is a chemical compound with the chemical formula K2Sb2(C4H2O6)2·3H2O. It is a double salt composed of the potassium salt of tartaric acid and antimony.
Tartar emetic is a white crystalline powder that is highly soluble in water. It has been widely used in medicine, particularly in the treatment of parasitic infections, such as leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis. Additionally, it has been used as an emetic to induce vomiting and as a diaphoretic to promote sweating.
The compound possesses antimony in a trivalent state, making it a valuable source of antimony ions in various chemical reactions. Due to its toxicity, tartar emetic should be handled with caution, as prolonged exposure or large doses can lead to harmful health effects. Symptoms of poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
In addition to its medicinal uses, tartar emetic has found applications in analytical chemistry and metal industry. It can be utilized as a mordant in dyeing and textile industries, facilitating the fixation of dyes onto fabrics. It is also employed as an effective agent for staining microscopy specimens, enabling better visualization of cell structures.
Due to its historical significance and diverse applications, potassium antimonyltartrate remains an important compound in various fields, although its usage has declined in recent years due to the availability of safer alternatives.
The word "Potassium Antimonyltartrate" derives from its chemical composition and the names of its constituent elements and compounds.
"Potassium" refers to the element potassium (symbol K), which was first isolated by Sir Humphry Davy in 1807. The term originated from the English word "potash" (a potassium-rich substance derived from the ashes of plants), combined with the suffix "-ium" indicating a metallic element.
"Antimonyltartrate" is a compound consisting of antimony (symbol Sb) combined with tartrate. Antimony is a chemical element that has been in use since ancient times, while tartrate refers to the salt or ester of tartaric acid. The word "antimonium" was used in Latin, and later the term "antimony" was adopted in English.