What is Aluminium Hydroxide?
Al(OH)3 has the chemical name Aluminium hydroxide and is amphoteric by nature.
Aluminium (III) hydroxide is also known as Aluminic acid, Aluminic hydroxide, and Aluminic hydroxide. It occurs in the natural world as the mineral gibbsite and its polymorphs doyleite, nordstrandite, and bayerite. Aluminic hydroxide is a white powder that is amorphous. However, it is soluble in alkaline and acidic solutions but insoluble in water.
You can Read More Chemistry Articles.
Aluminium Hydroxide Structure – Al(OH)3
Properties of Aluminium hydroxide – Al(OH)3
| Al(OH)3 | Aluminium hydroxide |
| Molecular weight of Al(OH)3 | 78.00 g/mol |
| Density of Aluminium hydroxide | 2.42 g/dm3 |
| Flashpoint of Aluminium hydroxide | Non-flammable |
| Melting Point of Aluminium hydroxide | 300 °C |
Hydrogen bonds make up the structure of aluminic hydroxide, as is usual for metal hydroxides. It consists of twin layers of hydroxyl groups with aluminium ions occupying two-thirds of the octahedral holes generated between the two layers.
Gibbsite is amphoteric and functions as a Brnsted-Lowry base by attracting hydrogen ions and neutralizing the acid to produce a salt. The following is the response:
3HCl + Al(OH)3 → AlCl3 + 3H2O
In bases, it behaves as a Lewis acid. It removes one pair of electrons from the hydroxide ions. The consequence is as follows:
Al(OH)3 + OH– → Al(OH)4–
Production of Aluminium hydroxide
Using the Bayer process, aluminium hydroxide is produced for commercial usage. It involves dissolving bauxite in sodium hydroxide solution at temperatures up to 270 degrees Celsius. Waste is eliminated, and the sodium aluminate solution is permitted to precipitate. Therefore, the resulting precipitate is aluminum hydroxide. Through the process of calcination, aluminium hydroxide can be converted into alumina or aluminium oxide.
Bayer Process
Step-1 : Al2O3.2H2O + 2 NaOH → 2 NaAlO2 + 3 H2O
Step-2 : NaAlO2 + 2 H2O → Al(OH)3 + NaOH
Step-3 : 2 Al(OH)3 → Al2O3 + 3 H2O
Al(OH)3 Uses (Aluminium hydroxide)
- In plastics, aluminium hydroxide is used as a flame retardant.
- As an antacid agent
- Used in aluminium Hydroxide gel.
- Used in the production of activated alumina.
- Used as a cosmetic filler.
- Used as an intermediate chemical compound.
- Used as a soft plastic abrasive.
- Used as a glass additive to boost thermal shock resistance.
- Used in fabric waterproofing.
- Used in the glassmaking process.
Health Hazards
Long-term exposure to Aluminium(III) hydroxide produces irritation of the eyes, lungs, and skin. When it comes into touch with water, it explodes violently.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Q.1 What does aluminium hydroxide do?
Aluminium is a naturally occurring metal. Aluminum hydroxide constitutes the antacid. Aluminium hydroxide is used to treat heartburn, stomach pain, stomach ulcers, and acid indigestion. Aluminium hydroxide is also used to lower phosphate levels in persons with various renal diseases.
Q.2 Is Aluminium hydroxide safe in cosmetics?
Hydroxide in aluminium. The synthetic compound functions as an opacifier. Primarily utilized as painting solvents and absorbents. Aluminium hydroxide has not been shown to be harmful to the skin.
Q.3 What is another name for aluminium hydroxide?
Aluminium hydroxide is a nonprescription antacid used to treat hyperphosphatemia and peptic ulcers.
Q.4 aluminium hydroxide a weak base?
Aluminium hydroxide is a chemical compound with the formula Al(OH)3. In the case of aluminium hydroxide, for instance, the hydroxide (OH) can function as a weak base when interacting with the strong acid hydrochloric acid (HCl). A weak base is one that partially dissociates or breaks away in solution.
Q.5 Is aluminium hydroxide dangerous?
Intense stomach pain or constipation, loss of appetite, discomfort while peeing, muscle weakness, weariness, and excessive drowsiness are some of the side effects of aluminum hydroxide.
Structure, physical, and chemical properties of Al(OH)3 explained by the specialists at Utopper.com.
