332. Aluminum Bromide

Nomenclature

CAS number: 7727-15-3
AlBr3; mol wt 266.69.
Al 10.12%, Br 89.88%.

Description and references

Prepd from aluminum and bromine: Nicholson et al., Inorg. Synth. 3, 30 (1950).

Properties

White to yellowish-red very hygroscopic lumps, mp 97°; bp reported within the range 250-270°; d418 3.205. Corrosive. Fumes strongly in air; combines with water with violence. Keep tightly closed and protect from moisture. Sol in many organic solvents such as benzene, nitrobenzene, toluene, xylene, simple hydrocarbons.

Derivative

Hexahydrate.

Properties

Colorless to slightly yellow deliquesc crystals. mp 93°; d 2.5. Sol in water, alcohol, ether, carbon disulfide. Keep well closed.

Use

Anhydrous form as acid catalyst in organic syntheses. It is similar to anhydr AlCl3 but is more reactive and more sol in organic media.