Aluminum Chloride (AlCl3)-Lump

Characteristic

 

Aluminium chloride (AlCl3), also known as aluminium trichloride, is the main compound of aluminium and chlorine. It is white, but samples are often contaminated with iron(III) chloride, giving it a yellow color. 




Chemical formula：AlCl3

Molar mass：133.341 g/mol (anhydrous)

241.432 g/mol (hexahydrate)

Appearance：white or pale yellow solid, hygroscopic

Density：2.48 g/cm3 (anhydrous);2.398 g/cm3 (hexahydrate)

Melting point：192.6 °C (378.7 °F; 465.8 K)

(anhydrous);100 °C (212 °F; 373 K)(hexahydrate, dec.)

Boiling point：180 °C (356 °F; 453 K) (sublimes)

Solubility：soluble in hydrogen chloride, ethanol, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride;slightly soluble in benzene

Vapor pressure:133.3 Pa (99 °C);13.3 kPa (151 °C)

Viscosity:0.35 cP (197 °C);0.26 cP (237 °C)

Crystal structure:Monoclinic, mS16

 


Application

 

It is used as a catalyst for Friedel-Crafts acylation and alkylation of aromatic compounds. It is one of the most commonly employed Lewis acids for a wide variety of organic transformations. It catalyzes the ene reaction, polymerization, and isomerization reactions. For example, it can be used to synthesis ethyl benzene which is a precursor for producing polystyrene. It can be used for producing dodecylbenzene, a key intermediate for detergents. It is useful in the production of anthroquinone, the presursor for dyestuffs. It is used in the synthesis of bis(arene) metal complexes, through Fischer-Hafner synthesis. Gattermann-Koch reaction employs aluminum chloride for introducing formyl group onto aromatic rings.