Aluminum Chloride (AIC13)

Aluminum Chloride (AlCl₃) by B.F.S

A Powerful Lewis Acid for Industrial Catalysis and Organic Synthesis

Aluminum Chloride (AlCl₃) is one of the most widely used Lewis acid catalysts in the chemical industry, known for its strong electron-accepting capabilities and reactivity in electrophilic substitution reactions. At B.F.S, we supply high-purity Aluminum Chloride—available in both anhydrous solid and solution forms—for a range of catalytic, polymerization, and halogenation processes.

Product Overview

Chemical Formula: AlCl₃ Molar Mass: 133.34 g/mol Forms Available:

Anhydrous powder (yellow or white crystalline solid)
Solution in hydrocarbon solvents (upon request)

Aluminum Chloride is highly hygroscopic and reacts exothermically with water. It forms complex ions and acts as a strong Lewis acid, making it an essential component in numerous organic and petrochemical reactions.

Key Applications

🏭 Petrochemical Industry

Catalyst in Friedel–Crafts alkylation and acylation
- Used to produce alkylbenzenes, acylbenzenes, and other intermediates
Isomerization reactions
Cracking and polymerization of hydrocarbons

🧪 Pharmaceuticals & Fine Chemicals

Catalyst for synthesizing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)
Complexation and dehydration reactions

🧼 Surfactants and Detergents

Used in the production of linear alkylbenzene (LAB) – a precursor to biodegradable detergents

🧯 Dye and Pigment Manufacturing

Involved in the chlorination of aromatic compounds
Facilitates colorant modification processes

Typical Specifications

Property	Value
Appearance	White to yellow crystalline solid
Purity (AlCl₃)	≥ 99% (industrial grade)
Melting Point	190°C (sublimes)
Solubility	Reacts with water, soluble in benzene, chloroform, and CS₂
Bulk Density	~0.9 g/cm³
Packaging	Sealed drums, moisture-proof containers