JefferyH - 10-9-2014 at 15:47
I've never liked amalgams that use foil, messy and the yields are often fairly low. I've read that using powdered aluminum is violent. If the reaction
happens so readily, couldn't I just use an ice bath with slow addition to get decent yields, without any need for refluxing? Aluminum powder is fairly
cheap, and I don't think this spontaneously ignites in the air, does it?
Oscilllator - 10-9-2014 at 16:46
All I have to add to this is that aluminium powder most certainly does not spontaneously ignite in air (at least not when it's sitting in a jar). Of
course that doesn't mean its OK to leave the lid off, since atmospheric oxidation could cause your powder to become a lot less reactive, but still.
JefferyH - 10-9-2014 at 18:18
Would you say your yields are notably better than reactions performed with foil squares?
As well, do you find yourself able to use more stochiometric quantities of Aluminum, since it is in its powdered form?
[Edited on 11-9-2014 by JefferyH]