Aluminum Carbonate
Aluminum carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula Al2(CO3)3. It is an ionic compound that consists of positively charged aluminum ions (Al3+) and negatively charged carbonate ions (CO32-). The compound is white, odorless, and insoluble in water.
Aluminum carbonate can be prepared through a reaction between aluminum hydroxide and carbon dioxide:
2Al(OH)3 + 3CO2 → Al2(CO3)3 + 3H2O
The compound is also sometimes referred to as basic aluminum carbonate or aluminum(III) carbonate because it can exist in several hydrated forms that contain varying amounts of water molecules.
Although aluminum carbonate is not commonly used in industrial or commercial applications, it has been studied for its potential use in pharmaceuticals, particularly as an antacid to neutralize stomach acid. However, due to concerns about the potential toxicity of aluminum compounds, its use in this capacity has declined in recent years.
Overall, aluminum carbonate is a relatively uncommon compound that is primarily of interest to researchers studying its chemical and physical properties.