Aluminium is the third most abundant element and the most abundant metal on the planet. It is the third most abundant element in the earth’s crust, after oxygen and silicon. It occurs naturally in chemical compounds with other elements, such as bauxite. It is difficult to extract from natural ores because it must first be reduced.
Aluminium is most commonly found as a +3 cation. This means it will form ionic bonds with -3 anions or another combination of aluminium and anions to form an overall charge of 0. These compounds include:
- Aluminium sulphate, Al2(SO4)3
- Aluminium chloride AlCl3
- Aluminium phosphate, AlPO4
- Aluminium oxide, Al2O3
Aluminium Sulphate, Al2(SO4)3
Aluminium sulphate is also known as filter alum or dialuminum trisulfide. It is a white crystalline solid in its anhydrous form and a colourless liquid in its solution form. Both forms are non-toxic and non-flammable.
Aluminium sulphate dissolves in water but not in ethanol. It has no odour and a mildly astringent, sweet taste. When it decomposes, it emits toxic sulphur oxide fumes. Aluminium sulphate solution is corrosive to aluminium. In the laboratory, this compound is created by combining sulphuric acid with aluminium hydroxide.
- It is used in baking soda.
- It is used for gardening to balance the soil PH.
- Used in the purification of water.
- It is used in the dyeing of cloth.
- It is used in making paper.
- Used for printing on cloth.
Aluminium Chloride AlCl3
Aluminium chloride is also known as aluminium trichloride or trichloroaluminum. It is produced during the aluminium metal manufacturing process and is widely used in the chemical industry.
The compound is frequently identified as a Lewis acid. This compound reversibly changes from a polymer to a monomer at low temperatures. Aluminium Chloride has the chemical formula AlCl3.
It has a strong odour of hydrogen chloride and is white to pale yellow in colour. It is denser than water. It naturally occurs as nitromagnesite, which is only found in caverns and mines. Water, benzene, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride dissolve it.
Aluminium Phosphate, AlPO4
Aluminium phosphate is made by exposing soluble aluminium salts to alkaline conditions. It is composed of hydrated aluminium orthophosphate with the formula AlPO4. Highly viscous aluminium phosphate solutions tend to form polymeric aggregates, and equilibria are only attained slowly. It slowly reacts with gastric acid to produce soluble aluminium salts and phosphoric acid. Bile acids are absorbed less strongly by it than by aluminium hydroxide.
Aluminium monophosphate is another name for it.
- Aluminium phosphate tablets are official in B.P., and each tablet contains 500 mg of dried aluminium phosphate suitable for peppermint flavour.
- Used as an antacid beneficial in patients where significant loss of phosphate occurs due to the use of aluminium salts.
- Used in the manufacture of vaccines as an adjunct to enhance immunogenicity.
Aluminium Oxide, Al2O3
Aluminium oxide is an inorganic chemical reagent with the formula Al2O3. It is also known by the names– Alpha-Alumina, alumina, alundum, or aloxide.
It can be found in nature as corundum, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. It is an amphoteric substance that reacts with acids and bases alike. It appears white and occurs as a solid. It has no odour and is insoluble in water. This compound is most commonly found in crystalline form, which is known as aluminium oxide or corundum. Because of its hardness, it is widely used as an abrasive and in cutting tools.
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