EXPERIMENT I

ALUMINIUM AND ITS COMPOUND

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 OBJECTIVES

Study the properties of aluminium metal and its compound

1.2 THEORY

Aluminium is not found in its metallic form in nature. It occurs as bauxite, a mixture
of aluminium oxides, iron oxides and clay. Manufacturing aluminium metal from bauxite
is a complex process. Aluminium is one of the most important metals used by modern
societies. Aluminium´s combination of physical properties results in its use in a wide
variety of products, many of which are indispensable in modern life. Because of its light
weight and electrical conductivity, aluminium wire is used for the long-distance
transmission of electricity. Aluminium’s strength, light weight, and workability have led to
increased use in transportation systems, including light vehicles, railcars, and aircraft in
efforts to reduce fuel consumption. Aluminium’s excellent thermal properties and
resistance to corrosion have led to its use in air conditioning, refrigeration, and heat-
exchange systems. Finally, its malleability has allowed it to be rolled and formed into very
thin sheets used in a variety of packaging. (Josefa, 2012)
Pure aluminum is a silvery-white metal with many desirable characteristics.
Aluminum lightweight, nontoxic (as the metal), nonmagnetic and does not splatter.
Aluminum is very malleable and less harsh. Aluminum is an active metal as shown in the
price of the reduction potential and is not found in its elemental form in nature. Aluminum
is the third most elements in the earth's crust, but is not found in the form of free elements.
Although most aluminum compounds found in nature, over the years not found an
economical way to obtain aluminum metal from its compounds (Achmad, 2001).
Aluminium and its alloys lend themselves too many engineering applications
because of the combination of light weight and mechanical strength, their corrosion
resistance, hygienic acid and nontoxic quality. Aluminium relies on the formation of a
compact, adherent passive oxide film for its corrosion immunity in various environments.
However, this film is amphoteric and can be dissolved substantially when it is exposed to
either acid media (pH < 5) or alkaline media (pH > 9). HCl is usually used as industrial
acid cleaning, chemical or electrochemical etching and acid pickling of aluminium, but it
shows strong corrosiveness on aluminium. Therefore, it is necessary to seek inhibitors for
the corrosion of aluminium in HCl. (Li, 2014)
Aluminum is a metal element gray, bluish, mushy, and less powerful but lighter. This
metal is reactive and immediately reacts with oxygen in the air to form the oxide layer that
wraps the metal body thereby blocking further oxidation and metal into a rustproof.
Mixtures with metals such as Ni, Cu, Zn, Si, etc., resulting in a lightweight alloy with
broad usability, for example for aircraft, ships, engine blocks, household appliances,
building frame, etc. Oxide as alumina (Al2O3), which is found in nature which include
ruby, sapphire, corundum and emeri used for the manufacture of glass and heat-resistant
material (Mulyono, 2007).
Aluminum with electronic configuration [10Ne] 3s2 3p1 known in the +3 oxidation
state compounds. Aluminum metal corrosion resistant air because the reaction between the
aluminum metal with oxygen to form nonpori layer and wrap the metal surface until no
further reaction occurs (Sugiyarto, 2003).
Two factors should be considered to assess, the solubility of compounds in water,
small size and high ionic Al 3+ is poorly soluble in water. Example: Al2Cl3 even AlF3 a
combination of Al3+ and F- are monovalent 1. Shows a low solubility in water AlCl3, AlBr2
and AlI2 have covalent nature and easily soluble in water. Some aluminum salts and as
well as group metal (VIII A) crystallized and the solution as hydrates, the main
characteristics, a solution of aluminum salts in water is acidic. Because the electrons from
the appeal will be small ion with a high charge of Al3+. OH bond in the molecule H2O
metal broke. Proton is released out of the arches H2O ligand coordination. While ion
complex changes to [Al (H2O)5OH]2+, which is coated with aluminum metal oxide to
prevent corrosion in the pH interval from 4.5 to 8.3 (Cotton, 1989).

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 MnO2 and 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 + 6Cl-
The 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)

Aluminium is a powerful pro-oxidant and catalyses both iron and non-iron

mediated biological oxidation. A mechanism has been elucidated to explain the full
gamut of the oxidative potential of aluminium and it implicates the binding of
Al3+(aq) by the superoxide radical anion to form an aluminium superoxide semi-
reduced radical ion
O2 −• + Al3+ ↔ AlO2 2+• (Exley, 2012)
2. WORK PROCEDURES

2.1 EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

Material :

Material that we need for this experiment is diluted HCl, Some pieces of metal Al HgCl2
solution of 0.1 M (in ethanol solvent),0.1 M NaOH solution

Equipment :

Equiment that we need for this experiment are Test Tube, Beaker glass, Bunsen
burner,Dropping pipette,Arlogi glass

2.2 WORK INSTRUCTION

1. Experiment 1
Put 2ml of HCl solution in a test tube, then add 3 pieces of aluminum metal with a size
of 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm. After being left for 5 minutes and observed changes. Then do the
heating and see the changes that occur.

2. Experiment 2
Put 2ml of NaOH solution in a test tube, then add 3 pieces of aluminum metal with a
size of 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm. After being left for 5 minutes and observed changes. Then do
the heating and see the changes that occur.

3. Experiment 3
Take how many pieces of aluminum in a glass then add to the solution hgcl2 then wait
for 5 minutes. after that wash the aluminum pieces with water after that leave. observe
what happens

3. RESULT

3.1 OBSERVATION DATA

1. Changes in Experiment 1:
When only reacted with HCl is not a significant change. However, if given the heat or
heated happened bubbles
Reactions:
2 Al(s) + 6 HCl(aq) 2AlCl3 (aq) + 3H2(g)

2. Changes in Experiment 2:
When only reacted with NaOH is not a significant change. But, if given a heat or
heating occurs bubble that much compared to the reaction with HCl.
Reaction :
 2Al(s) + 2NaOH(aq) + 6H2O(l) 2[Al(OH)4]- (aq) + 2Na+(aq) + 3H2(g)
3. Changes in Experiment 3:
When the metal is aluminium drip with HgCl2, a few moments later white fibers was
formed from Al

Al2O3(s) metal
crystalline + 3HgCl
fiber.
2(aq) 3HgO(s) + 2Al(s) + 3Cl2(g)
Reaction :
4Al(s) + 3O2(g) 2Al2O3(s)

3.2 DISCUSSION

Experiment 1 (aluminum metal is reacted with aqueous HCl solution)

At first experiment that reacting aluminum metal with a solution of HCl
(hydrochloric acid). Results from the observation is not in a solution bubbles. Indication of
the bubbles is a reaction between a metal aluminum and HCl solution (hydrochloric acid).
This is because aluminum is less reactive, is because there is a layer of oxide coating
which affects the reactions are slow. So that the heating is done to increase the reaction
rate so as to accelerate the reaction.
After heated to form more bubbles but Al insoluble metal. And after the heating is stopped
the bubble is gone. This bubble is hydrogen gas H2.

Reaction that occur : 2 Al(s) + 6 HCl(aq) 2 AlCl3(aq) + 3 H2(g)

Aluminum oxide contains oxide ions, so that it can react with acids such as
sodium or magnesium oxide. That means, for example, aluminum oxide will react with hot
dilute hydrochloric acid to produce a solution of aluminum chloride. In this case (and
similar reactions with other acids), aluminum oxide show alkaline side of amphoteric
nature.

Experiment 2 (aluminum metal is reacted with aqueous NaOH solution)

In a second experiment the aluminum metal is reacted with a solution of sodium

hydroxide (NaOH). The results of observation are formed little bubbles. This proves that
the aluminum metal can react with a base as indicated by the bubble that appears. Then do
too warm and the results obtained are bubbles that formed very much like foam (more
than experiment 1). 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: 2Al(s) + 2NaOH(aq) + 6H2O(l) 2[Al(OH)4]- (aq) + 2Na+(aq) +3H2(g)

Aluminum oxide can also indicate the nature of the acid, can be seen in the
reaction with a base such as sodium hydroxide solution. Various aluminate are formed -
those in which aluminum is found in negative ions. This is possible because aluminum
has the ability to form covalent bonds with oxygen. In the case of sodium, the
electronegativity difference between sodium and oxygen is too large to form bonds other
 than ionic bonds. But electronegativity increases in one period - the electronegativity
difference between aluminum and oxygen smaller. This led to the formation of covalent
bonds between the two. With a solution of hot concentrated sodium hydroxide, aluminum
oxide reacts produce sodium tetrahydroxoaluminate colorless.
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 lewis acid thus easier aluminum metal reacts with a base.

Experiment 3 (aluminum metal is reacted with oxygen)

The third experiment is shed HgCl2 solution on aluminum metal, according to the
observations on Aluminum metal bubble formed as blister. Then silence a few minutes
Aluminum metal become grayish color due to the erosion of aluminum coating on the
aluminum metal. Aluminum metal washed with water to form bubbles underneath. After
that let a few minutes in the air. Then, Aluminum metal into white fibers like ash.

Reaction with oxygen occurs after HgCl2 Aluminum Foil reacted with the forming
oxides, Al-shaped ash, namely Al2O3.

Reaction : Al2O3(s) + 3HgCl2(aq) 3HgO(s) + 2Al(s) + 3Cl2(g)

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 (Al2O3) which protects it
from oxidation again.

Reaction : 4Al(s) + 3O2(g) 2Al2O3(s)

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 white fibers like needles in the alumunium surface.

It is proved that aluminum can react with oxygen to form Al2O3 which
characterized by the formation of white needle-like fibers on the surface of aluminum.
The longer alumunium is left in the open air, more white fibers 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.

4. FINAL
4.1 CONCLUSION

Based on experiments conducted can be concluded that the aluminum metal is amphoter
that can be acidic and alkaline. This is demonstrated by the ability of aluminum to react with
acids or bases. But aluminum tends to prefer to react with bases compared to acids.
Aluminum metals may also react with oxygen when the lining of the oxide coating is lost. The
removal of oxide coating on aluminum metal can be done by reacting with HgCl2.

4.2 SUGGESTION

It would be better if the hg metal waste produced not only accommodated, but carried out
further process to be processed so as not to be harmful.

5. REFERENCES

Achmad, H. (2001). Kimia Unsur dan Radiokimia. Bandung: PT. Citra Aditya Bkti.
Cotton. (1989). Kimia Anorganik Dasar . Jakarta: UI Press.
Exley, C. (2012). The coordination chemistry of aluminium in neurodegenerative disease.
Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 256(19-20), 2142–2146
Li, X., Deng, S., & Xie, X. (2014).Experimental and theoretical study on corrosion
inhibition of oxime compounds for aluminium in HCl solution. Corrosion Science,
81, 162–175.
Mulyono. 2007. Kamus Kimia. Jakarta: Bumi Aksara
Josefa, Maria.2012. ALUMINIUM: THE METAL OF CHOICE.Spain. Materiali in
tehnologije / Materials and technology 47 (2013) 3, 261–265

Sugiarto, Kristian H. 2003. Kimia Anorganik II. Yogyakarta: UNJ-Press

Svehla, G. 1985. Analisis Kuantitatif Anorganik Makro dan Semi Makro. Jakarta : PT
Kalman Media Pustaka

5. ATTACHMENT

5.1 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. 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
2. 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 metal 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.

5.2 DOCUMENTARY

Measurement of 2 ml HCl Addition of 3 pieces Al

Measurement of 2 ml NaOH Addition of 3 pieces Al

Heating HCl + Al Heating NaOH + Al

After heating right: HCL left:NaOH

Add a few drops HgCl3 after washing with water

After being left for 10 minutes After being left for 30 minutes