Page 96 - Encyclopedia of Chemical Compounds 3 Vols

OH OH
Al

OH

OTHER NAMES:
See Overview.
FORMULA:
Al(OH) 3
Aluminum Hydroxide
ELEMENTS:
Aluminum, oxygen
COMPOUND TYPE:
OVERVIEW
STATE:
Aluminum hydroxide (uh-LOO-min-um hi-DROK-side) is
Inorganic base KE
Solid
also known as alumina hydrate, aluminum hydrate, aluminum
Y
trihydrate, hydrated alumina, hydrated aluminum oxide, and
78.00 g/mol aluminum white. It is a white crystalline powder that occurs
MOLECULAR WEIGHT: F
in nature as the mineral gibbsite, one of the three minerals
A
(along with boehmite, diaspore) that makes up bauxite. Baux-
Not applicable; loses
MELTING POINT: C
ite is a rocky material from which the metal aluminum is
water on heating to T
become aluminum S extracted commercially. Aluminum hydroxide is perhaps best
oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) known to the average person as an ingredient in antacids,
compounds for the treatment of upset stomach, acid indiges-
BOILING POINT:
tion, and related symptoms. It is found in products such as
Not applicable Ò Ò Ò
Maalox , Mylanta , and Gelusil . A closely related chemical
SOLUBILITY: compound, aluminum hydroxychloride (Al 2 Cl(OH) 5 ) is the
Insoluble in water; active ingredient in most deodorants and anti-perspirants.
soluble in strong
acids and bases
HOW IT IS MADE
Most aluminum hydroxide is produced by treating baux-
ite with a hot, concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide

CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS 45