Classification; Metalliod

symbol Sb

atomic number 51

electronegativity of 2.05

Electron configuration [Kr] 4d105s25p3 

Boiling point 1587°C, 2889°F, 1860 K 

Melting point 630.628°C, 1167.13°F, 903.778 K 

121.76 atomic
Atomic Mass
mass units

Number of
51
Protons

Number of
71
Neutrons

Number of
51
Electrons

Antimony is a chemical element with the symbol Sb (from Latin: stibium) and atomic number 51. A

lustrous gray metalloid, it is found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite (Sb2S3). Antimony
compounds have been known since ancient times and were powdered for use as medicine and
cosmetics, often known by the Arabic name kohl.[5] Metallic antimony was also known, but it was
erroneously identified as lead upon its discovery. The earliest known description of the metal in the
West was written in 1540 by Vannoccio Biringuccio.
For some time, China has been the largest producer of antimony and its compounds, with most
production coming from the Xikuangshan Mine in Hunan. The industrial methods for refining
antimony are roasting and reduction with carbon or direct reduction of stibnite with iron.
The largest applications for metallic antimony are an alloy with lead and tin and the lead antimony
plates in lead–acid batteries. Alloys of lead and tin with antimony have improved properties
for solders, bullets, and plain bearings. Antimony compounds are prominent additives for chlorine
 and bromine-containing fire retardants found in many
commercial and domestic products. An emerging application
is the use of antimony in microelectronics.

 Although its orginial discoverer

is unknown, antimony was first
specifically studied by Nicolas
Lémery (1654-1715), a French
chemist and one-time Apothecary
Jardin du Roi in Paris.
 Whilst recognised in its elemental
form from around 1450, the natural
sulphide of antimony (stibnite)
was known in Biblical times, and
used extensively in the ancient world as a cosmetic.
 The name for modern eye make-up comes from the town of
Mascara in Algeria, where stibnite was reputedly used in
this way.
 The name "antimony" comes from two Greek words: 'anti'
meaning not and 'monos' meaning alone, from the observation
that the element is rarely found natively, but often occurs
as compounds, or with heavier metals such as lead, copper
and silver.
 The symbol for antimony, Sb comes from the Latin
word Stibium, which was derived from the Greek name for the
Stibnite powder used as a cosmetic. This was in turn taken
from the Coptic word for the same (Coptic being a language
descended from ancient Egyptian).
 Pliny, a Roman archivist and historian wrote about the use
of stibnite as a medicine, and it seems likely that other
ancient cultures used the mineral in this way.
 Because of its distinctive dark colour and opacity, stibnite
was ground and used as a pigment in the middle ages.
 Industrial uses of antimony primarily revolve around
electricity, and so were mainly explored in the 20th
century.
 As little as 30 years ago, (highly pure) antimony found use
in semi-conductor technology