Vitriols are among the most important alchemical ingredients. Green vitriol is the archaic term for all vitriols and now means ferrous sulfate. In alchemy vitriol equates with sulfate, any of a group of sulfur minerals. Sulfuric acid, made from roasting the green, is known as oil of vitriol.
The first letters of the words in the circle spell VITRIOL. The Latin Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem means
"Visit the interior of the earth by rectifying (purifying), you will find the secret stone"
The phrase is connected to Rosicrucian lore, originating in the writings of Paracelsus. According to the story it's engraved on the tomb of Christian Rosenkreuz, the legendary founder of the movement.
The origins of vitriols trace back to crystals left after the evaporation of groundwater flowing through sulfide minerals, to gather in pools inside abandoned mines. The term "vitriol" comes from Latin vitriolus, or small glass, as the crystals resemble colored glass.
In consumer products vitriols or sulfates are surfactants, or detergents. They form bonds with oil, fat, grease, and dirt to eliminate them from surfaces. Sulfates create a foamy lather, great for shampoo and soaps.
Sulfur forms stable compounds with all elements except the noble gases, which are less friendly. Copper, zinc and silver are tarnished by sulfur.
Vitriols are sulfates, or sulfur compounds. They include:
black vitriol: hydrated sulfate
green vitriol: hydrated iron(II) sulfate; ferric sulfate; copperas
blue vitriol: hydrated copper(II) sulfate
red vitriol: cobalt(II) sulfate
white vitriol: zinc sulfate
also:
vitriol of mars: iron sulfate
vitriol of argile/vitriol of clay: aluminum sulfate (alum)
oil of vitriol/spirit of vitriol: sulfuric acid (H2S0) concentrate made from green vitriol
Islamic alchemist, astronomer and physicist Jabir ibn Hayyan (c. 721 - 815) discovers what he calls oil of vitriol in the eighth century AD. Created by cooking green vitriol, it's the sulfuric acid known today.
Dilute sulfuric acid is an element in acid rain. Oil of vitriol or concentrated sulfuric acid is traditionally produced by the dry heat distillation (pyrolysis) of vitriols.
Even when diluted, sulfuric acid can react with various metals and rocks through a single displacement reaction, similar to other common acids. This reaction results in the production of hydrogen gas and salts, specifically metal sulfates.
Spiritus Vitrioli (Spirit of Vitriol) is diluted sulfuric acid used topically as a caustic or internally as an astringent or tonic. Sulfuric acid in dilute form is an ingredient in ointments to treat skin infections and canker sores. Concentrated sulfuric acid is toxic and harmful to skin.
Medieval and later European alchemists create sulfuric acid as oil of vitriol made by heating green vitriol (iron(II) sulfate), also called copperas, in an iron retort. All the iron(II) sulfates dissolve in water. The hydrated form is used medically to treat or prevent iron deficiency.
The purpose of the retort is to condense or distill compounds and solutions. Retorts are common utensils of alchemists. Depictions of retorts feature prominently in various drawings and sketches of laboratories.
Copper dissolves slowly in sulfuric acid. Oil of vitriol is particularly aggressive towards highly reactive metals, such as iron, aluminum, zinc, manganese, magnesium, and nickel. Lead and tungsten are resistant to its effects.
Neither silver nor gold is soluble in oil of vitriol. This becomes a purity test for buyers. If the gold dissolves with a few drops of the "oil", it's not gold. If the buyer suspects lead mixed with gold or silver, a heat test could reveal this, as lead has a lower melting point.
Vitriol encompasses a group of hydrated sulfates or sulfuric acid compounds. These have a wide range of applications across different industries due to their unique chemical properties. Blue vitriol or cupric sulfate, is commonly used in agriculture as a fungicide and herbicide.
Green vitriol, which historically refers to all vitriols, is ferrous sulfate utilized in the manufacturing of inks, dyes, and pigments. White vitriol, or zinc sulfate, finds its place in the production of fertilizers and animal feed supplements.
Cobalt sulfate, known as red or rose vitriol, is primarily used in the ceramic industry to create vibrant colors. Uranvitriol, a natural uranium sulfate, plays a crucial role in nuclear technology and research.
Concentrated sulfuric acid or oil of vitriol plays a pivotal role in a wide array of chemical processes across industries. Its highly corrosive nature and strong acidic properties make it a versatile substance for numerous applications. Fortunately it does not dissolve glass.
In the realm of organic chemistry, sulfuric acid is frequently used as a dehydrating agent due to its ability to remove water molecules from compounds. It will absorb water from the air and can overflow a container.
Dehydration is vital in synthesis of organic compounds such as alcohols, ethers and alkenes. Origin theories and properties of vitriol are in writings of Pliny the Elder, as well as those of Galen. He's the one whose promotion of the Four Humors stagnates medicine for 2000 years.
Galen also mentions the medical applications of vitriol. The metallurgical uses of vitriolic substances were documented in the Hellenistic alchemical works of Zosimos of Panopolis, as well as the treatise "Phisica et Mystica" and the 300 AD Leyden papyrus X (as copperas).
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