Tartar emetic

Antimony potassium tartrate trihydrate

Names
Other names potassium antimonyl tartrate emetic tartar tartar emetic
Identifiers
CAS Number	28300-74-5
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:2761
ChemSpider	17214979
ECHA InfoCard	100.031.164
EC Number	234-293-3
KEGG	C11340
PubChem CID	16682736
InChI InChI=1S/2C4H4O6.2K.3H2O.2Sb/c2*5-1(3(7)8)2(6)4(9)10;;;;;;;/h2*1-2H,(H,7,8)(H,9,10);;;3*1H2;;/q2*-2;2*+1;;;;2*+3/p-4 Key: WBTCZEPSIIFINA-UHFFFAOYSA-J
SMILES [K+].[K+].[H]O[H].[H]O[H].[H]O[H].O=C1O[Sb-]23OC1C1O[Sb-]4(OC(C(O2)C(=O)O3)C(=O)O4)OC1=O
Properties
Chemical formula	K2Sb2(C4H2O6)2 · 3 H2O
Molar mass	667.87 g/mol
Appearance	white crystalline powder
Density	2.6 g/cm3
Solubility in water	8.3 g/100 mL (0 °C) 35.9 g/100 mL (100 °C)
Hazards
EU classification (DSD)	Xn N
R-phrases	R20/22 R51/53
S-phrases	(S2) S61
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	110 mg/kg
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Antimony potassium tartrate, also known as potassium antimonyl tartrate, potassium antimontarterate, or emetic tartar, has the formula K₂Sb₂(C₄H₂O₆)₂ and is the double salt of potassium and antimony of tartaric acid. The compound has long been known as a powerful emetic, and was used in the treatment of schistosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Antimony potassium tartrate's potential as an emetic was known since the Middle Ages. The compound itself was considered toxic and therefore a different way to administer it was found. Cups made from pure antimony were used to store wine for 24 hours and then the resulting solution of antimony potassium tartrate in wine was consumed in small portions until the wanted emetic effect was reached.

Today, the compound is still used to induce vomiting in captured animals to study their diet.

The first treatment application against trypanosomiasis was tested in 1906, and the compound's use to treat other tropical diseases was researched. The treatment of leishmania with antimony potassium tartrate started in 1913. After the introduction of antimony (V) containing complexes like sodium stibogluconate and meglumine antimoniate, the use of antimony potassium tartrate was phased out. After British physician John Brian Christopherson's discovery in 1918 that antimony potassium tartrate could cure schistosomiasis, the antimonial drugs became widely used. However, the injection of antimony potassium tartrate had severe side effects such as Adams–Stokes syndrome and therefore alternative substances were under investigation. With the introduction and subsequent larger use of praziquantel in the 1970s, the use of antimony based treatments fell out of use.