A Dictionary of Arts: Schweinfurth Green.

A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures, and Mines; containing A Clear Exposition of Their Principles and Practice

by Andrew Ure, M. D.;
F. R. S. M. G. S. Lond.: M. Acad. M. S. Philad.; S. PH. DOC. N. GERM. Ranow.; Mulh. Etc. Etc.

Illustrated with nearly fifteen hundred engravings on wood
Eleventh American, From The Last London Edition.
To which is appended, a Supplement of Recent Improvements to The Present Time.

New York: D Appleton & company, 200 Broadway. Philadelphia: George S. Appleton, 148 Chestnut St.
MDCCCXLVII

1847

SCHWEINFURTH GREEN is a more beautiful and velvety pigment than the preceding, which was discovered in 1814, by MM. Rusz and Sattler, at Schweinfurth, and remained for many years a profitable secret in their hands. M. Liebig having made its composition known, in 1822, it has been since prepared in a great many colour-works. Braconnot published, about the same time, another process for manufacturing the same pigment. Its preparation is very simple; but its formation is accompanied with some interesting circumstances. On mixing equal parts of acetate of copper and arsenious acid, each in a boiling concentrated solution, a bulky olive-green precipitate s immediately produced; while much acetic acid is set free. The powder thus obtained, appears to be a compound of arsenious acid and oxide of copper, in a peculiar state; since when decomposed by sulphuric acid, no acetic odor is exhaled. But, if it be boiled in the acidulous liquor from which it was precipitated, it soon changes its color, as well as its state of aggregation, and forms a new deposite in the form of dense granular beautiful green powder. As fine a colour is produced by ebullition during five or six minutes, as is obtained at the end of several hours by mixing the two boiling solutions, and allowing the whole to cool together. In the latter case, the precipitate, which is slight and flocky at first, becomes denser by degrees; it next betrays green spots, which progressively increase, till the mass grows altogether of a crystalline constitution, and of a still more beautiful tint than if formed by ebullition.

When cold water is added to the mixed solutions, immediately after the precipitate takes place, the development of the colour is retarded, with the effect of making it much finer. The best mode of procedure, is to add to the blended solution, their own bulk of cold water, and to fill a globe up to the neck with the mixture, in order, to prevent the formation of any such pellicle on the surface as might, by falling to the bottom, excite premature crystallization. Thus the reaction continues during two or three days merely from the different sizes of the crystalline particles; for when the several powders are levigated upon a porphyry slab to the same degree, they have the same shade. Schweinfurth green, according to M. Eherman's researches, in the 31st Bulletin de laSociété Industrielle de Mulhausen, consists of, oxide of copper 31.666, arsenious acid 58.699, acetic acid 10.294. Kastner has given the following prescription for making theis pigment: - For 8 parts of arsenious acid, take from 9 to 10 of verdigris; diffuse the latter through water at 120° F., and pass the pap through a sieve; then mix it with the arsenical solution, and set the mixture aside, till the reaction of the ingredients shall produce the wished-for shade of color. If a yellowish tint be desired, more arsenic must be used. By digesting Scheele's green in acetic acid, a variety of Schweinfurth green may be obtained.

Both of the above colours are rank poisons. The first was detected a few years ago, as the colouring-matter of some Parisian bonbons, by the conseil de salubrité; since which the confectioners were prohibited from using it, by the French government.