Antimony is a toxic chemical element with the symbol
Sb and an atomic number of *1. A lustrous grey metalloid, it is
found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite (Sb2S3).
Although the use of antimony is limited by its toxicity, its
compounds have been of fundamental value in chemistry – a
prominent example being the development of superacids derived
from antimony pentafluoride. Antimony compounds are prominent
fire retardants found in many commercial and domestic products.
Certain alloys are valuable for use in solders and ball bearings.
An emerging application is the use of antimony in
microelectronics
