Aluminium Chloride
Other names: Aluminium chloride, Aluminium chloride
Harm score: 3 (Harmless chemicals)
Aluminium Chloride, also known as Aluminium Chloride or Aluminium Chloride, is a chemical with the chemical formula AlCl3. It is a white crystalline powder that is very soluble in water. Aluminium Chloride is a strong Lewis acid, which means that it is able to accept pairs of electrons. This property allows it to react with many other substances and protects it from hydrolysis, a process in which water breaks chemical bonds.
Aluminium chloride is widely used in industry. The most widespread use is as a catalyst in a process known as the Friedel-Crafts reaction, which is used in the production of a wide range of organic compounds. It is also used in the cosmetics industry, specifically in antiperspirants, where it works by blocking the sweat glands and thereby reducing the amount of sweat released. Furthermore, this chemical material is used in the food industry, for example in the production of cheese, to improve its consistency. In medicine, it is used to treat excessive sweating. In general, the uses of Aluminium Chloride are very diverse and its importance in modern industry and science cannot be underestimated.