Alumunium and Its Compounds

29 April 2016
A. Objectives
Study the properties of alumunium metal and its compounds
B. Theory
Aluminium is a white metal clay and can be forged, gray powder, melts at 659 oC.
When exposed to air, oxidized aluminum objects on the surface, but this oxide layer protects
the object of further oxide. Aluminum is tervalent in compounds. Aluminum ions memebentuk
salts
are
colorless
with
anions
are
colorless.
(G. Svehla, 1985)
Aluminum is one of the chemical elements of group IIIA. Coat aluminum is Al, and
atomic number 13. Aluminum is the most abundant metal. Aluminum is found by Sir
Humphrey Davy in 1809 as an element, and the first time is reduced as the metal by HC
Oestred, 1825. In the industry in 1886, Paul Heroult in France and CM Hall in the United
States have individually obtain aluminum metal from alumina by means of electrolysis of
fused salts. Until now the Hall Heroult process is used to produce aluminum. The use of
aluminum as the metal per year is the second order after the iron and steel, which is the
highest among non-ferrous metals. Aluminium is a light metal has good corrosion resistance
and good electrical conductivity and good properties other as metallic properties. In addition
to the mechanical strength is greatly improved with the addition of Cu, Mg, Si, Mn, Zn, and
so on, in one by one or together, low expansion coefficient.
(T. Surdia, 2005). Aluminum
have some characteristics, characterestics of alumunium:
1. Lightweight, corrosion-resistant and non-toxic it is widely used as materials for
household appliance.
2. Reflective, in the form of aluminum foil used for packaging food, drugs and cigarettes.
3. The electrical conductivity 2-fold compared with Cu, then Al is used as a power pole
cable.
4. Al alloy with other metals (Al, Cu, Mg) alloy produces strong can used as airframe.
5. Al is used as a reducing agent for the oxide MnO 2 dan Cr2O3
When exposed to air objects on its surface oxidized aluminum. However, this
oxidation coating that will protect the aluminum metal from oxidation sequel. Dilute
hydrochloric acid can easily dissolve this metal. Slower dissolution if the atmosphere of dilute
sulfuric acid or dilute nitric acid.
2Al + 6H+
2Al3+ + 3H2
The dissolution process can be accelerated by adding mercury II chloride in the
mixture. Concentrated hydrochloric acid also dissolves aluminum:
2Al + 6HCl
2Al3+ + 3H2 + 6ClThe dissolution process can be accelerated by adding mercury II chloride in the
mixture. Concentrated hydrochloric acid also dissolves aluminum:
2Al + H2SO4
2Al3+ + 3 SO42- + 3SO2 + 6H2O
Concentrated hydrochloric acid makes aluminum becomes passive, with alkali
hydroxides to n tetrahydroxoaluminate
2Al + OH- + 3H2O
2[Al(OH)]- + 3H2 (G. Svehla, 1985)
Ion reactions of Al33+ in water
If alumunium salt dissolve in water, Al3+ ion will hydroxizing.
Al3+ + H2
[Al(H2O)6]3+

Ion hexa aquo aluminium (III) / Al3+(aq)

Therefore, the ion density is very large, the ions can attract electrons in the OH bond of
water .
[Al(H2O)6)]3+ + H2O
[Al(H2O)5(OH)2+] + H3O
Therefore, Al 3+ salt solution is acidic, acid-acetic acid. If a stronger base than water
such as S2- and CO22- added to a solution of aluminum, H+ ions are released from
[Al(H2O)6)]3+ .
[Al(H2O)6]3+ + 3 S[Al(H2O)3(OH)3] + 2 H2S
Similar reactions occur when a strong base such as NaOH (aq) was added to a
solution of salt Al.
[Al(H2O)6]3+ + 3OH- (aq)
[Al(H2O)3(OH)3] + (H2O)3
With NaOH(aq) excess, precipitate will dissolve
[Al(H2O)3(OH)3] (s) + OH[Al(H2O)3(OH)3] + H2O
Although not exact, the reaction between the aluminum ion with NaOH (aq), usually
written as follows:
Al3+ (aq) + 3OH- (aq)
Al(OH)3 (s)
Al(OH)3 (s) + OH- (aq)
Al(OH)4- (aq)
Saturated solution
Aluminum hydroxide such as aluminum oxide is amphoteric, soluble in alkaline
membenttuk aluminate and aluminum salts in acid form. In accordance with the price of the
electrode potential (-1.66 V) can be predicted that the aluminum is more reactive than zinc
and the metal is easily react premises oxygen, dissolved in dilute acid and liberating
hydrogen. Although it is not clearly visible, in fact aluminum reacts with oxygen. However,
any new aluminum surfaces immediately coated by aluminum oxide is very thin. Thick oxide
layer which is only 104 m very hard, stable and non-porous core to protect the aluminum
from the reaction with oxygen so that deterred from further oxide. (Anonymous, 2012)
C. Apparatus and Reagents
Apparatus :
3 test tubes
Beaker glass 100 ml
Dropping pipette
The test tube rack
Bunsen burner
Arlogi glass
Test tube clamp
Reagents:
Diluted HCl
NaOH solution 0.1 M
HgCl2 solution 0.1 M
Some pieces of metal Al
Alumunium foil
Distilles water

D. Procedure
1. Experiment 1 : Reaction with HCl

Put 2 mL of dilute HCl in a test tube.

Put into it some pieces (3-4) metal Al

Observe and record changes that

occur.

If Al has not dissolved after 5 minutes,

heat the mixture carefully.

2. Experiment 2. Reaction with NaOH:

Put 2 mL of dilute NaOH in a test
tube.

Put into it some pieces of metal Al

Observe and record changes that

occur.

Heat the mixture carefully (if after 5

minutes no cahnge)

3. Experiment 3. Reaction with Oxygen:

Put a piece of aluminium foil in a glass
and drop with HgCl2 solution.

Allow a few minutes, then wash

aliminium foil with.

Record and observe the changes.

Leave the aluminium foil is in the open

air.

E. Observation Data
Experiment 1 : Reaction with HCl
a. Changes that occur :
2 ml diluted HCl + 2 pices Al metal
Before heating :
No reaction occur, clear solution
After heating :
there is buble, clear solution
b. Reaction :
2 Al (s) + 6 H3O+(aq) +6Cl- (aq)
2 Al3+

(aq)

+ 6H2O (l) + 3 H2 (g) + 6Cl- (aq)

Experiment 2 : Reaction with NaOH

a. Changes that occur :
2 ml NaOH + 2 pieces of Al metal
Before heating :
There are bubbles, clear solution
After heating :
A lot of bubbles, white turbid solution
b. Reaction :
2 Al (s) + 2NaOH (aq) + 6 H2O (l) 2 Na[Al(OH)4](aq) + 3H2 (g)
Experiment 3 : Reaction with Oxygen
a. Changes that occur :
Alumunium foil + HgCl2
Aluminum flake off , and the color becomes dull
Wash with distilled water
Peel and mixed with water
Leave the alumunium foil in the open air :
Aluminium become like ash and lint
b. Reaction :
Al2O3 (s) + HgCl2 (aq) HgO + Cl2 (g) + 2Al (s)
4Al(s) + 3 O2(g)
2Al2O3(s)
F. Discussion
To determine the properties of aluminium and its copounds, then carried out experiments
by reacting aluminium with acid, bases, and oxygen
a. Reaction with HCl
The result of this experiment is before heating process the aluminium not react
with HCl this is indicated by the absence of bubbles that form and color of the solution
is clear. Aluminium not reacted with HCl before heating because there is a layer of
oxide coating which affects the reactions are slow.
The result after heating is the bubbles are formed and displays a clear solution.
This happened because aluminium react with the HCl, So that the heating is done to
increase the reaction rate so as to accelerate the reaction.
Reaction that occur :
2 Al

(s)

+ 6 H3O+(aq) +6Cl- (aq)

2 Al3+

(aq)

+ 6H2O (l) + 3 H2 (g) + 6Cl- (aq)

From the reaction we know that the bubbles are formed when aluminium and HCl
heating is hydrogen gas H2.

b. Reaction with NaOH

For the second experiment the result of this experiment is before heating
process the aluminium react with NaOH this is indicated by yhe bubbles that formed
and color of the solution is clear and after heating more bubbles are formed than
before, and the colour o the solution become a white turbid. When the heating is

stopped bubbles remain formed. This suggests that the aluminum metal reacts with
a base in this case is NaOH. So that the aluminum metal is amphoteric because it
can react with acids and bases. Reaction occur:
2 Al (s) + 2NaOH (aq) + 6 H2O (l) 2 Na[Al(OH)4](aq) + 3H2 (g)
Of the first and second experiment, it can be concluded that aluminum metal
is a metal that is amphoteric, because it can react with the acid or alkali. However,
aluminum is easier to react with alkaline rather than reacting with acid. This is
because the aluminum metal is more likely to acidic ie lewis acid thus easier
aluminum metal reacts with a base.

c. Reaction with Oxygen

The result from aluminium foil react with Hg2Cl2 is Aluminum Foil bubble
formed as blister, it makes aluminium foil flake off , and the color becomes dull. Its
because the erosion of aluminum coating on the aluminum foil . After washes with
distilled water the aluminium foil peel and mixed with water. After that let a few
minutes in the air. Aluminum Foil Aluminium become like ash and lint.
Reaction with oxygen occurs after HgCl2 Aluminum Foil reacted with the forming
oxides, Al-shaped ash, namely Al2O3.
Reaction: Al2O3 (s) + HgCl2 (aq) HgO + Cl2 (g) + 2Al (s)
HgCl2 can clean the surface layer of aluminum foil is effective because it can
release HgCl2 layer of aluminum oxide according to the above reaction.
After coating Aluminum eroded, then washed with distilled water. Further
treatment is let in the air, resulting in a reaction with oxygen to form a thin oxide
layer (AlCl3) which protects it from advanced oxidation.
Reactions that occurs:
4Al(s) + 3 O2(g)

2Al2O3(s)

But when the air is left in Aluminium Foil paper and gradually chipped all
reduced to ashes. It is probably too many drops of HgCl2 that not only removes the
protective aluminum oxide on aluminum but also destroys.
Then, aluminum metal was washed with distilled water, it will release layers of HgO
which previously coating the aluminum metal, so that the aluminum metal so really
were not covered. This is because HgO is very soluble in water. After washing with
distilled water, the aluminum is left in the open air for several minutes, this causing
the formation of white fibers as the needle on the aluminum surface. Alumunium
metal which is not covered with anything is certainly easy the contact with air
oxygen, and formed thin layers of aluminum oxide / Al2O3, which can protect from
the further oxidation. Alumunium is oxidized by oxygen to form Al2O3. Reaction of
alumunium and oxygen is knowed by the formation of lint like needles in the
alumunium surface. Rection that occurs :
Al2O3 (s) + HgCl2 (aq) HgO + Cl2 (g) + 2Al (s)
4Al(s) + 3 O2(g)
2Al2O3(s)
It is proved that aluminum can react with oxygen to form Al2O3 which
characterized by the formation of white needle-like lint on the surface of aluminum.
The longer alumunium is left in the open air, more white lint produced, and the

alumunium foil is crushed into powder that contain Hg. It is very toxic, so we should
use the mask during this experiment. Alumunium metal is more reactive when
reacts with alkaline than acid, this is because alumunium metal is more acidic
(Lewis Acid), so that alumunium metal is easier to react with alkaline than acid.
The reason which caused alumunium foil changes into ash is problably
because the addition of HgCl2 is too much, so that HgCl2 is not only release the
oxide layers of alumunium, but also destroy the alumunium foil into ash.
G. Answer the Question
Experiment 1 : Reaction with HCl
1. The reaction of aluminum metal in dilute HCl is slow due to the aluminum metal has an
aluminum oxide layer of protective metal. Aluminum valuable despite having a negative
reduction potential, but he is difficult to undergo oxidation. This is because, aluminum
metal tends to react with oxygen to form an oxide layer which protects the metal oxide
layer is aluminum so as not to undergo further oxidation reaction. That is why aluminum
is slow to react. So that the required heating to accelerate the reaction.
2. The characteristic of the solution that occurs when the metal Al reacts with HCl is formed
AlCl3 solution is acidic with a pH of about 2-3
Experiment 2 : Reaction with NaOH
1.

2.

The gas formed is hydrogen gas (H2). Gas produced in experiment 2 more than the
experiment 1 because according to the charactristic of the Al metal that is able to react
with strong bases, especially alkali bases produce H2 gas
The pan made of alumunium metal should not be washed with soda (Na2CO3) because
if the aluminum pan was washed with Na2CO3 will be damaged and react with Na2CO3
so that a layer of aluminum would be eroded. The equation is:
CO32-(aq) + H2O(l)
HCO3-(aq)+ OH-(aq)

Experiment 3 : Reaction with Oxygen

1. HgCl2 solution can clean aluminum foil layer effectively because the HgCl2 solution can
release layer of aluminum oxide according the reaction:
Al2O3(s) + 3 HgCl2(aq)
2 AlCl3(aq) + 3 HgO(s)
2. Formed Al2O3 because when aluminum reacts with oxygen to form a thin layer of oxide
(Al2O3) that can protects from further oxidation. Al2O3 is stable because it is difficult to
react with the air around it, and is difficult to react with dilute acids or bases and
concentrated acids.
3. Some
examples
of
the
useful
of
aluminum
metal
are:
For coating cookware, food packaging, electrical wiring, basic construction materials in
order,
good
buildings,
cars,
and
airplanes.
Aluminum properties include non-toxic, light weight, large electrical conductivity, as the
reductant, reflective, and resistant to corrosion air.

H. Conclusion and Suggestion

Conlusion :
1. Metal coated with aluminum oxide (Al2O3), so that the aluminum is less reactive metal.
2. Metal aluminum is amphoteric, can react with acids or bases.
3. Aluminum metal is more reactive when reacted with alkaline than acid aluminum
metal is more likely due to the acidic ie lewis acid thus easier aluminum metal reacts
with a base.
4. Aluminum metal can also react with air (oxygen).
Suggestion :

Practitioner should be more careful in observe the changes

Practitioner must understand the procedure and theory before doing the practicum
Practitioner should use the mask to minimize the risk of inhalation of Hg when doing
the experiment 3
Practitioner should maintain the cohessiveness within the members of the group

H. Reference
Anonim. 2012. https://alchemist08.files.wordpress.com/.../percobaan-vi-al-dan-senyawanya/
(Diakses pada tanggal 9 Mei 2016 pukul 19:30)
Svehla, G. 1985. Analisis Kuantitatif Anorganik Makro dan Semi Makro. Jakarta : PT Kalman
Media Pustaka.
Sugiarto, Kristian H. 2010. Kimia Anorganik Logam. Yogyakarta: Graha Ilmu
Wulandari . 2014. https://wulandakeelah24.wordpress.com/2014/10/09/alat-alat-lab-kimiayang-terbuat-dari-kimia/ (Diakses pada tanggal 9 Mei 2016 pukul 19:40