ALUMINIUM CHLORIDE

Aluminium Chloride (AlCl₃) is an inorganic compound with low melting and boiling points. It has high thermal conductivity and reversibly changes from a polymer to a monomer. It includes chlorine and aluminium atoms in a ratio of 1:3. It is a white-coloured compound with a pungent odor, but when contaminated with iron, it turns to a yellow colour. It is a powerful Lewis acid and is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air). It is a volatile compound.

Aluminum chloride, with its chemical formula AlCl3, represents a vital component in the chemical landscape. This compound exists primarily in the form of a white or yellowish solid, with a distinctively pungent odor. Its molecular structure comprises aluminum atoms bonded to chlorine atoms, creating a compound with remarkable reactivity and utility.

Uses of Aluminium Chloride

• It is used in aircraft, transport sector, and electrical units.
• It is considered a versatile chemical compound and finds its uses in the synthesis process.
• It is used in manufacturing rubber, paints, and lubricants industrially.
• It serves as a catalyst in most chemical reactions.
• It finds applications in pesticides and pharmaceuticals.
• It serves as a flux in aluminium melting.
• It works as an oxidizing as well as a reducing agent in many industries.
• It is used in photochemicals and personal care products.

Aluminum chloride exhibits notable chemical properties that contribute to its versatility. It is highly soluble in polar solvents such as water, ethanol, and ether, forming various hydrates and complexes. This solubility facilitates its utilization in numerous chemical processes, including synthesis and catalysis. Moreover, aluminum chloride demonstrates Lewis acidity, enabling it to act as a catalyst in organic reactions, such as Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation.

Preparation

Its anhydrous form can be prepared by an exothermic reaction of molten aluminum and chlorine gas. It can also be prepared by the reaction of chlorine, coke, and bauxite at temperatures above 875 °C.

Chemical Properties

• It reacts with water and dilutes sodium hydroxide.
• It is not a flammable compound.
• Its vapour pressure is 1 mm Hg at 100 °C.

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