The chemical formula for aluminum oxalate is C₆Al₂O₁₂.
Aluminum oxalate is an inorganic compound, specifically a salt formed between aluminum ions (Al³⁺) and oxalate ions (C₂O₄)²⁻. This compound is also commonly represented as Al₂(C₂O₄)₃, which explicitly shows its ionic composition: two aluminum ions bonded with three oxalate ligands.
Composition of Aluminum Oxalate (C₆Al₂O₁₂)
The formula C₆Al₂O₁₂ indicates the precise ratio of atoms present in one molecule of aluminum oxalate. It signifies the presence of:
- Carbon (C): 6 atoms
- Aluminum (Al): 2 atoms
- Oxygen (O): 12 atoms
This structure results from the trivalent nature of aluminum (Al³⁺) and the divalent nature of the oxalate anion ((C₂O₄)²⁻), ensuring electrical neutrality in the compound. The oxalate anion itself is a dicarboxylate, derived from oxalic acid.
For a clearer breakdown, consider the elements and their quantities:
| Element | Symbol | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Al | 2 |
| Carbon | C | 6 |
| Oxygen | O | 12 |
Understanding Aluminum Oxalate
Aluminum oxalate is identified by its Compound ID (CID) 93561 on PubChem, a widely recognized database for chemical information. Knowing the exact chemical formula for this compound is crucial for:
- Stoichiometric Calculations: Accurately determining reactant and product quantities in chemical reactions involving aluminum oxalate.
- Material Characterization: Identifying and verifying the composition of materials in laboratory and industrial settings.
- Chemical Synthesis: Designing and executing procedures for producing aluminum oxalate or compounds derived from it.
- Research and Development: Exploring new applications or understanding its behavior in various chemical environments.
