The discussion revolves around the identification of an orange precipitate formed from the reaction between Aluminum Nitrate and Sodium Carbonate. Participants explore potential chemical reactions, the nature of the precipitate, and the conditions under which these reactions occur.
Participants do not reach a consensus on the identity of the orange precipitate or the conditions leading to its formation. Multiple competing views and hypotheses are presented, indicating ongoing uncertainty and debate.
Participants express uncertainty about the nature of the precipitate and the reactions involved, highlighting potential mislabeling of reagents and the influence of impurities on the observed color. The discussion includes various assumptions about the chemical processes at play.
+Minkie+ said:Its been awhile since I was doing redox reactions, but I'm presuming the reaction took place in the presence of water. If so the Aluminium Nitrate should undergoe a redox reaction with the water.
Half equations:
2H2O(l) -> O2(aq) + 4H+(aq) + 4e-
Al3+(aq) + 3e- -> Al(aq)
Full equation:
6H2O(l) + 4Al3+(aq) -> 2Al2O3(s) + 4H+(aq)
The Aluminium and Water react due to their electronegativity.
In this conditions should precipitate Al(OH)3 (white) which easily include impurities; infact this precipitation it's used to purify water. A small, not initially visible amount of coloured substance (chromate, for example) easily gives a colour to the precipitate.mavsqueen06 said:i did have a reaction with chromate too, but i had another with clear sodium carbonate and aluminum nitrate and got an orange ppt. I was thinking it could be Al2O3? i just don't know how that could occur.