Aluminum + Hydrochloric Acid: Making Aluminum Chloride

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the process of using aluminum and hydrochloric acid to produce aluminum chloride, specifically exploring the distinction between hydrated and anhydrous forms of the compound. Participants discuss the challenges associated with the reaction, including the role of aluminum oxide and potential methods to enhance the reaction rate.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that hydrochloric acid and aluminum will yield aluminum chloride hexahydrate, while others emphasize the need to convert hydrochloric acid into hydrogen chloride for anhydrous aluminum chloride.
  • There is a discussion about the slow dissolution of aluminum in acids due to the resistance of aluminum oxide, with some suggesting that aluminum oxide dissolves more readily in alkalis.
  • A participant expresses a desire to produce hydrated aluminum chloride using waste aluminum and 37% HCl, questioning whether scraping the aluminum surface would enhance the reaction rate.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of scraping the aluminum surface, citing the rapid formation of aluminum oxide as a potential barrier to the reaction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to produce aluminum chloride, with differing views on the desired form of the compound and the effectiveness of proposed methods to enhance the reaction.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations related to the assumptions about the reaction conditions, the dependence on the form of aluminum chloride desired, and the unresolved nature of the proposed methods to speed up the reaction.

seyyed30
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How can I use aluminum with hydrochloric acid to provide aluminum chloride?
 
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seyyed30 said:
How can I use aluminum with hydrochloric acid to provide aluminum chloride?

Hydrochloric acid and aluminum will give aluminum chloride hexahydrate. To make aluminum chloride you need to turn hydrochloric acid into hydrogen chloride first. Concentrated sulfuric acid might be helpful.
 
It is not clear what you want - if the anhydrous chloride, DrStupid remarks are spot on. If hydrate is OK, that makes things easier, but still difficult, as the dissolution of aluminum in acids is very slow, aluminum oxide is quite resistant (it dissolves much easier in alkalis).
 
Borek said:
It is not clear what you want - if the anhydrous chloride, DrStupid remarks are spot on. If hydrate is OK, that makes things easier, but still difficult, as the dissolution of aluminum in acids is very slow, aluminum oxide is quite resistant (it dissolves much easier in alkalis).
yes, I want to produce hydrated aluminum chloride, and just by slice of wastage aluminum and HCl(37%)
can I scrape aluminum surface to speed up the reaction?
 
seyyed30 said:
can I scrape aluminum surface to speed up the reaction?

You can try, but I am not convinced it will work, oxide is created quite fast.
 

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