Aluminum Bromide

Aluminum BromideAluminum bromide is a product of the reaction of aluminum and bromine combined in a 1 to 3 ratio to produce a neutral compound. In its solid state, it is colorless crystals that quickly absorb water causing old samples to be highly hydrated. As a liquid, it is a very corrosive yellow that is damaging to the skin, eyes, and mouth. It has a molecular weight of 266.69 g/mol

The main characteristic of aluminum bromide is its ability to absorb water, alcohol, carbon sulfide and acetone. When placed in water, heat is produced from the reaction as well as a cloud of fumes, which are harmful to the eyes and lungs. The mixing of aluminum bromide with chlorine produces aluminum chloride and bromine.

The common name for aluminum bromide is aluminum tribromide according to the IUPAC.

Tribromoalumane is represented by the chemical formula AIBr3. Its dimeric, a molecule made of two similar molecules, form is AI2Br6.

Uses

Aluminum bromide has very little commercial use but does electroplate aluminum to steel producing a smooth, thick, adherent, and shiny finish. The benefits of the process is the formation of a thick dense surface on the steel that is corrosion resistant. Using aluminum bromide to do electroplating has been found to be better than using aluminum chloride, because it forms a stronger bond with the steel. It can be used on ferrous and non-ferrous metals, which broadens its range of applications. The water-less version is used in organic synthesis in the Friedel-Crafts acylation, a catalyst in a molecule transforming reaction. Used with chloroform, aluminum bromide serves as a bromate agent.

Chemical Formula

The chemical formula for aluminum bromide is AIBr3.

Aluminum Bromide Chemical Formula

Aluminum bromide has one aluminum ion combined with three bromide ions. It is made by pouring powdered aluminum into a container of liquid bromine. The reaction can be reversed by significantly increasing the temperature of the solution. Aluminum bromide reacts quickly with alcohol and carboxylic acids but not as violently as it does with water. During the aluminum bromide synthesis, a tremendous amount of heat and energy is released from the reaction to the enthalpy.

Safety Concerns

Aluminum bromide is a highly corrosive and toxic substance that will burn the skin and do permanent damage to the eyes. Breathing in aluminum bromide irritates the nose, throat and lungs causing coughing and shortness of breath. It appears on the hazardous substance list of the ACGIH, DOT, and NIOSH and should be identified with an appropriate label. Use of aluminum bromide should be restricted to a chemical fume hood given its volatile nature.

Metal Suppliers

Featured Industries

Aluminum Power Pages

Aluminum Tubing & Piping

Aluminum Tubing & Piping

Aluminum piping and tubing is silvery-white, soft, and ductile. The metal belongs to the boron group. Aluminum is the third most abundant element present on earth. Aluminum has low density. When exposed...

Aluminum Coil

Aluminum Coil

The term "aluminum coil" describes aluminum that has been flattened into sheets where their width is significantly higher than their thickness and then "coiled" into a roll. Stacks of individual aluminum sheets are difficult to...

Types of Aluminum

Types of Aluminum

Aluminum is the most abundant metal on the Earth’s crust, but it rarely exists as an elemental form. Aluminum and its alloys are valued because of their low density and high strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and corrosion resistance...

Aluminum Channels

Aluminum Channels

An aluminum channel is a structurally sound metal component that is made by the extrusion process to produce shapes, forms, and designs for a wide variety of applications. The major benefit of aluminum channels is their weight, which is...

Extruded Aluminium

Extruded Aluminium

Extruded aluminum is a continuous piece of aluminum that usually has a constant profile or cross-section throughout its length. It is made by forcing a block of aluminum, called a billet, through a die opening which is smaller than the original cross-sectional area of the billet...

Aluminum Trim

Aluminum Trim

Aluminum trim is an aluminum product that is produced by extrusion to create long, narrow, pliable, and adaptive pieces of aluminum that can be used for architectural decorative applications and accents, indoor and outdoor lighting, and engineering design...

Metal Suppliers

Featured Industries