342. Aluminum Hydroxide

Nomenclature

CAS number: 21645-51-2
Aluminum hydrate; aluminum trihydrate; hydrated alumina.
AlH3O3; mol wt 78.00.
Al 34.59%, H 3.88%, O 61.54%.
Al(OH)3.

Description and references

Prepn and properties: Dominé-Berges, Ann. Chim. [12] 5, 106 (1950); Hennig, Chem. Tech. 1, 66 (1949); Gmelins, Aluminum (8th ed.) 35B, pp 98-132 (1934); Becher in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry vol. 1, G. Brauer, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1963) pp 820-821; Wagner, ibid. vol. 2 (1965) pp 1652-1654. Comparative pharmacology and clinical use of antacids: F. W. Green, Jr. et al., Am. J. Hosp. Pharm. 32, 425 (1975). Clinical comparison with calcium carbonate as phosphate binder in chronic renal failure: R. H. K. Mak et al., Br. Med. J. 291, 623 (1985). Review of use as vaccine adjuvant: W. Nicklas, Res. Immunol. 143, 489-494 (1992).

Properties

Usually obtained as a white, bulky, amorphous powder. Practically insol in water, but sol in alkaline aq solns or in HCl, H2SO4 and other strong acids in the presence of some water. Forms gels on prolonged contact with water. Absorbs acids, CO2.

Derivative

Aluminum hydroxide gel.

Nomenclature

Aldrox (Am. Home); ALternaGEL (J & J-Merck); Aludyal (Sandoz); Amphojel (Wyeth-Ayerst); Cremorin (Sanofi Winthrop); Pepsamar (Sanofi Winthrop); Uracid (Hssle).

Properties

White, viscous suspension from which small amounts of clear liquid may separate on standing. May also be used as the dried gel. Sol in dilute mineral acids, solns of fixed alkali hydroxides. Insol in water, alcohol.

Use

Adsorbent; emulsifier; ion-exchanger; in chromatography; mordant in dyeing; filtering medium; manuf glass, fire clay, paper, pottery, printing inks, lubricating compositions, detergents; waterproofing fabrics; in antiperspirants, dentifrices. Vaccine adjuvant.

Therapeutic Category

Antacid; antihyperphosphatemic.

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Antacid.

Keywords

Antacid; Antihyperphosphatemic