MadSci Network: Chemistry
Query:

Re: What are ALL of the products from mixing Al and CuCl2?

Date: Thu Nov 18 17:32:34 1999
Posted By: Uncle Al Schwartz, Organic synthetic chemist
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 942860813.Ch
Message:

Was your water degassed?

Is the reacton between CuCl2(aq) and Al(0) as simple as you hint?  What 
about reduction to insoluble CuCl, formation of CuClx complex anions (for 
both Cu(I) and Cu(II)), hydrolysis of AlCl3 (which isn't the solution 
species in any case), reaction of a clean aluminum surface with water (as 
opposed to the usual oxide-passivated surface), the formation of a Cu/Al 
electrolytic cell...

Was it pure aluminum?  Aluminum foil is an alloy with significant amounts 
of iron, manganese, and silicon in it.

I'd check the flammability again - my guess is hydrogen.

There is a classic if now politically incorrect experiment whereby an 
aluminum bar is vigorously abraded with fine sandpaper to remove 
passivating oxide and immediately plunged into slightly acidified aqueous 
mercury(II) nitrate.  The surface rapidly amalgamates and is pulled from 
the solution and dabbed dry.  Unlike the interface with aluminum metal, 
aluminum oxide does not tighty adhere to the amalgam protecting it from 
further attack by oxygen.  White flakes spall off as the metal progresively 
disintegrates before your eyes.

Aluminum is mighty reactive stuff and a powerful reducing agent if its 
surface is kept clean.  Consider Thermite.

Uncle Al!



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