Inorganic Chemicals

Formula: AlCl3; MW 133.31; Structure and bonding: an electron-deficient compound, a Lewis acid, occurs as dimer Al2Cl6 in hexagonal crystal form. Above 300 °C, dissociation to monomer AlCl3 begins; completely dissociates to AlCl3 at 1,100°C.

Uses
Aluminum chloride has extensive commercial applications. It is used primarily in the electrolytic production of aluminum. Another major use involves its catalytic applications in many organic reactions, including Friedel-Crafts alkylation, polymerization, isomerization, hydrocracking, oxidation, decarboxylation, and dehydrogenation. It is also used in the production of rare earth chlorides, electroplating of aluminum and in many metal finishing and metallurgical operations.

Physical Properties
White or light-yellow crystalline solid (or amorphous solid depending on the method of production); odor of HCl; hygroscopic; melts at 190°C at 2.5 atm; sublimes at 181.2°C; density 2.44 g/cm3 at 25°C; decomposes in water evolving heat; soluble in HCl; soluble in many organic solvents, including absolute ethanol, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and ether; slightly soluble in benzene.

Thermochemical Data

ΔH°ƒ(s)      –168.3 kcal/mol
ΔG°ƒ(s)      –150.3 kcal/mol
S°              26.45 cal/deg mol
Hsoln.      –77.7 kcal/mol
Hfus         8.45 kcal/mol

Preparation
Aluminum chloride is made by chlorination of molten aluminum at temperatures between 650 to 750°C;

or by chlorination of alumina (bauxite or clay) at 800°C in the presence of a reducing agent, such as carbon or CO. It can be prepared by similar high temperature chlorination of bauxite in the presence of a chlorinated organic reductant such as CCl4.
A pelletized mixture of clay, lignite and a small amount of NaCl is chlorinated at 900°C, producing gaseous AlCl3 (Toth process). Alternatively, alumina is mixed with about 20% by weight carbon and a small amount of sodium salt. The mixture is chlorinated at 600°C (Bayer process). In the laboratory, anhydrous AlCl3 can be prepared by heating the metal with dry HCl gas at 150°C. The product sublimes and deposits in the cool air condenser. Unreacted HCl is vented out.

Reactions
Reacts with calcium and magnesium hydrides in tetrahydrofuran forming tetrahydro aluminates, Ca(AlH4)2; reacts with hydrides of alkali metals in ether forming aluminum hydride;

Hydrolyzes in chilled, dilute HCl forming aluminum chloride hexahydrate, AlCl3â‹…6H2O; reacts violently with water, evolving HCl,

Hazard
Violent exothermic reactions can occur when mixed with water or alkene. Corrosive to skin.

Formula: AlCl3•6H2O; MW 241.31

Uses
The hexahydrate is used in the preparation of deodorant and antiperspirant. Also, it is applied in textile finishing to improve the antistatic characteristics and flammability ratings of various textile materials. Commercially, it is sold as crystalline powder or as a 28% solution in water.

Physical Properties
White or yellowish deliquescent powder; faint odor of HCl; density 2.40 g/cm3; soluble in water and polar organic solvents such as alcohol; aqueous solution acidic.

Preparation
Aluminum chloride hexahydrate is prepared by dissolving Al(OH)3 in conc. HCl and passing gaseous HCl through the solution at 0°C. The precipitate is washed with diethyl ether and dried. Alternatively, it is prepared by hydrolyzing anhydrous AlCl3 in cold dilute HCl.

Reactions
Decomposes to alumina when heated at 300°C;

Reacts with caustic soda solution forming gelatinous precipitate of aluminum hydroxide (hydrous aluminum oxide); yields aluminum monobasic stearate, Al(OH)2[OOC(CH2)16CH3] when its solution is mixed with a solution of sodium stearate.