Vitriol
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Alchemical diagram from Daniel Stolz von Stolzenberg, Theatrum Chymicum, 1614 representing VITRIOL as the alchemical motto Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem ('Visit the interior of the earth and rectifying (i.e. purifying), you will find the hidden/secret stone'), found in L'Azoth des Philosophes by the 15th century alchemist Basilius Valentinus. This is a backronym, sometimes incorrectly said to be the origin of the word "vitriol".
In chemistry, vitriol is an archaic name for a sulfate, and vitriol names have the obvious meaning: for example, vitriol of lead is lead sulfate, and so on. The word vitriol comes from the Latin word "vitriolum" for "glassy", as crystals of several metallic sulfates resemble pieces of colored glass.
Vitriol with no further qualification often means sulfuric acid.
| Vitriol | Chemical | Comment | Formula |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black vitriol | a mixture[A] | [Cu,Mg,Fe,Mn,Co,Ni]SO4·7H2O[B] | |
| Blue vitriol | copper(II) sulfate | pentahydrate | CuSO4·5H2O |
| Green vitriol | iron(II) sulfate | heptahydrate | FeSO4·7H2O |
| Copperas | iron(II) sulfate | heptahydrate | FeSO4·7H2O |
| Oil of vitriol | sulfuric acid | not a sulfate | H2SO4 |
| Red vitriol | cobalt(II) sulfate | heptahydrate | CoSO4·7H2O |
| Roman vitriol | iron(II) sulfate | heptahydrate | FeSO4·7H2O |
| Spirit of vitriol | sulfuric acid | not a sulfate | H2SO4 |
| Sweet oil of vitriol | diethyl ether | not a sulfate | CH3-CH2-O-CH2-CH3 |
| Vitriol of argile | aluminium sulfate | alum | Al2(SO4)3 |
| Vitriol of clay | aluminium sulfate | alum | Al2(SO4)3 |
| Vitriol of Cyprus | copper(II) sulfate | pentahydrate | CuSO4·5H2O |
| Vitriol of Mars | iron(III) sulfate | Ferric sulfate | Fe2(SO4)3 |
| Vitriol martial | iron(III) sulfate | Ferric sulfate | Fe2(SO4)3 |
| White vitriol | zinc sulfate | heptahydrate | ZnSO4·7H2O |
| A Many websites state "black vitriol is a mixture of iron sulfate and iron sulfite", but none gives a reference of any sort. The book, Chemistry, Inorganic & Organic, with Experiments, by Bloxam[1] is a published, reliable reference for the composition of black vitriol, and it states on page 513, "The formula of black vitriol may be written [CuMgFeMnCoNi]SO4·7H2O, the six isomorphous metals being interchangeable without altering the general character of the salt." |
| B "Any combination of these elements may be found in black vitriol."[1] |
In popular cultureEdit
- The term "Oil of Vitriol" is referenced as a key component to the Sherlock Holmes story "The Adventure of the Illustrious Client".
- The term "Oil of Vitriol" occurs in the Showtime series The Borgias.
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b Bloxam, Charles Loudon; Bloxam, Arthur G.; Lewis, S. Judd (1913). "Copper, Cu = 63.57". Chemistry, Inorganic & Organic, with Experiments (Tenth ed.). Philadelphia: P. Blakiston's Son & Co. p. 513.
The formula of black vitriol may be written [CuMgFeMnCoNi]SO4·7H2O, the six isomorphous metals being interchangeable without altering the general character of the salt.
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