Aluminium isopropoxide
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Aluminium isopropoxide
| |
| Other names
2-Propanol aluminium salt
AIP Aluminium isopropanolate Aluminum propan-2-olate Aluminium sec-propanolate Aluminium triisopropoxide Triisopropoxyaluminium | |
| Properties | |
| C9H21O3Al | |
| Molar mass | 204.25 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless solid |
| Density | 1.035 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 119 °C (246 °F; 392 K) |
| Boiling point | 135 °C (10 mm Hg) 131 °C (7.5 mm Hg) 125.5 °C (5.5 mm Hg) 113 °C (2.5 mm Hg) 106 °C (1.5 mm Hg) 94 °C (0.5 mm Hg) |
| Hydrolyzes | |
| Solubility | Reacts with carboxylic acids Soluble in benzene, carbon disulfide, CCl4, chloroform, ethanol, THF, toluene Moderate soluble in isopropanol Insoluble |
| Vapor pressure | 1.33-47.33 mmHg (at 119 - 173.9 °C)[1] |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Flash point | 16 °C |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
| LD50 (Median dose)
|
11,300 mg/kg (rat oral) |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Aluminium isopropoxide or aluminium triisopropoxide is a chemical compound, a salt of isopropanol with aluminium. It is widely used as a reducing agent for reducing ketones and aldehydes to their corresponding alcohols. It has the chemical formula C9H21O3Al. The general formula used for the compound is Al(O-i-Pr)3, where i-Pr is the isopropyl group (CH(CH3)2).
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Aluminium isopropoxide readily hydrolyzes in water to isopropanol and aluminium(III) hydroxide.
Physical
Aluminium isopropoxide is a colorless solid, slightly soluble in alcohols, but more soluble in THF and carbon disulfide. It has the tendency to supercool.
The structure of this compound is complex, possibly time-dependent, and may depend on solvent.
Availability
Aluminium isopropoxide is sold by chemical suppliers. There doesn't appear to be any sellers on eBay or Amazon.
Preparation
Aluminium isopropoxide can be prepared by reacting a mixture or aluminium metal with anhydrous isopropanol, in the presence of a catalyst, such as mercury(II) chloride. The resulting aluminium triisopropoxide is extracted from the reaction mass via factional distillation under vacuum. Some mercury may distill and condense in the resulting isopropoxide, though it can be removed with a syringe. For better purity, aluminium triisopropoxide should be recrystallized, in a dry environment.[2] NileRed made a video on how to make this compound.[3]
It's believed that a gallium-aluminium alloy can be used instead of the aluminium + HgCl2 route.
Projects
- Reduce ketones and aldehydes to their respective alcohols and viceversa
Handling
Safety
Aluminium isopropoxide is water-sensitive and contact with skin should be avoided. Wear gloves and protection goggles when handling the compound.
Storage
Should be stored in air-tight containers or in a desiccator.
Disposal
Can be destroyed by burning it outside. Hydrolysis gives isopropanol, which is non-toxic but flammable.
References
- ↑ Wilhoit; Journal of Physical Chemistry; vol. 61; (1957); p. 114
- ↑ https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/Vespiary/talk/files/1457-rre-aluminum-alpropixet807f.pdf
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuoWnueBJaY
