pulkit Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 How did copper sulphate come to be known as "blue vitriol"; ferrous sulphate as "green vitriol"; zinc sulphate as "white vitriol" and sulphuric acid as "oil of vitriol" ? I get the colour part in the salt names, but why the "vitriol" ? Does that mean sulphate ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solaris Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Yes, vitriol means sulf! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pulkit Posted August 16, 2004 Author Share Posted August 16, 2004 Is it latin/greek or just some old english name ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solaris Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Look: Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin vitriolum, from Late Latin vitreolum, neuter of vitreolus, of glass, from Latin vitreus. See vitreous. So its latin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pulkit Posted August 16, 2004 Author Share Posted August 16, 2004 What about "aqua reggia" ? Where does that come from ? What does it mean ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap'n Refsmmat Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 "Royal Water" or something like that. Latin, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansont Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 I get the colour part in the salt names, but why the "vitriol" ? Does that mean sulphate ? Note that the "vitriol" names likely came first, before much was known about the chemistry details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pulkit Posted August 16, 2004 Author Share Posted August 16, 2004 Note that the "vitriol" names likely came first, before much was known about the chemistry details. All four being sulphates, could it be then because on reaction with oil of vitriol metals produced these coloured vitriols ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YT2095 Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 basicly yes, they used a more descriptive if not floral names for such chems, then came along a better understanding, and thus a newer "more descriptive" but less "floral" naming for them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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