Aluminiumtrichlorides

Aluminium trichloride, with the chemical formula AlCl3, is an inorganic compound. It exists as a white crystalline solid at room temperature. In its anhydrous form, it is highly hygroscopic, readily absorbing moisture from the air. When exposed to water, it undergoes hydrolysis, producing hydrochloric acid and aluminium hydroxide. Aluminium trichloride is soluble in many organic solvents, including ethanol and carbon tetrachloride.

Anhydrous aluminium trichloride is a Lewis acid, meaning it can accept an electron pair. This property makes it a widely used catalyst in organic chemistry, particularly in Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation reactions. It plays a crucial role in the synthesis of various organic compounds. In industrial applications, it is employed in the production of aluminum metal through electrolysis, although cryolite is typically used as a flux. It also finds use in the petroleum industry as a catalyst and in the production of dyes and perfumes.

Aluminium trichloride can exist in different forms depending on the conditions. In the solid state, it forms a layered lattice structure. In the molten state and in the gas phase at higher temperatures, it exists as a dimer, Al2Cl6. At even higher temperatures, it dissociates into monomeric AlCl3 units. Exposure to moist air can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract due to the release of hydrochloric acid.