antimony trisulfide: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “antimony trisulfide” mean?
A chemical compound with the formula Sb₂S₃, used primarily as a pigment (Antimony Yellow), in safety matches, and historically in cosmetics.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chemical compound with the formula Sb₂S₃, used primarily as a pigment (Antimony Yellow), in safety matches, and historically in cosmetics.
In historical and technical contexts, refers to the mineral stibnite. In modern contexts, it denotes an industrial chemical used in pyrotechnics, infrared detectors, and as a semiconductor dopant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling conventions follow standard chemical nomenclature which is identical in both variants.
Connotations
Neutral scientific term in both. No cultural or colloquial connotations exist.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Usage is confined to specialised scientific, industrial, or historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “antimony trisulfide” in a Sentence
[compound] is used in [application][compound] acts as a [role]The formula for [compound] is [formula]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antimony trisulfide” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Victorian era saw antimony trisulfide used in cosmetics, a practice now known to be hazardous.
- We need to order five kilograms of antimony trisulfide for the pyrotechnics lab.
American English
- The mine's primary output was stibnite, the ore form of antimony trisulfide.
- Safety matches often contain antimony trisulfide in the striking surface.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in supply chain or manufacturing reports for specialty chemicals.
Academic
Primary usage. Common in chemistry, geology, materials science, and history of science publications.
Everyday
Virtually non-existent.
Technical
Core usage. Appears in patents, safety data sheets, technical manuals for pyrotechnics, and pigment formulation guides.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antimony trisulfide”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antimony trisulfide”
- Misspelling as 'antimony trisulphide' (UK) vs. 'trisulfide' (US) is a minor variant, not a mistake. The common error is misidentifying it as 'antimony sulfide' which is ambiguous (could be Sb₂S₃ or Sb₂S₅).
- Confusing it with similar compounds like arsenic trisulfide (orpiment).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Stibnite is the naturally occurring mineral form of antimony trisulfide. The chemical compound Sb₂S₃ can be either mined as stibnite or synthesized in a lab.
It provided a black pigment (kohl) used for eyeliner and eye shadow. Its use was widespread in the ancient Middle East and Egypt, despite the toxicity of antimony.
Yes. It is considered toxic if ingested or inhaled, and it can irritate the skin and eyes. Modern handling requires appropriate health and safety controls.
Its primary uses are as a pigment (in plastics, paints) and in the friction material for brake pads and clutch plates. It is also used in military infrared detection devices and certain types of fireworks.
A chemical compound with the formula Sb₂S₃, used primarily as a pigment (Antimony Yellow), in safety matches, and historically in cosmetics.
Antimony trisulfide is usually technical/scientific in register.
Antimony trisulfide: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæn.tɪ.mə.ni ˌtraɪˈsʌl.faɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæn.təˌmoʊ.ni ˌtraɪˈsʌl.faɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ANTIMONY TRIsulfide: Think of 'Anti-Mon-ey' needing 'Tri' (three) Sulfur atoms to buy safety matches.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WORKHORSE IN DISGUISE (a dull-sounding chemical with diverse, powerful applications).
Practice
Quiz
In which of these common products might you find antimony trisulfide?