Determination of

Aluminium

as Aluminium Oxyde
Procedure
1. Weigh out accurately about 1,8 gram
aluminium sample salt
2. Rinse and dissolve in 200 mL of water then
add 5 gram of ammonium chloride, a few
drops of methyl red indicator and heat just
to boiling.
3. Add pure dilute ammonia solution (1:1) drop
wise from a burette untill the color of the
solution change to a distinct yellow
4. Boil the solution for 1 or 2 minute and filter at
once through a quantitative filter paper
(Number 41)
5. Wash the precipitate thoroughly with hot
2 percent ammonium nitrate or chloride
solution made neutral with ammonia solution
to methyl red indicator.
6. Place the paper with the precipitate in a
constant weighed crucible.
7. Dry, char and ignite for 10-15 minutes with a
Fisher or Meker high temperature burner.
8. Allow the crucible covered with a well fitting
lid to cool in a desiccator and weigh as soon
as cold. Ignite to constant weight.
9. Calculate the percentage of aluminium.
Discussion
 The aluminium is precipitated as the hydrated
oxide by means of ammonia solution in the
presence of ammonium chloride. The
gelatinous precipitate is washed, converted
into the oxide by ignition and weighed as
Al2O3
Aluminium hydroxide is amphoteric in
character :
Al(OH)3(s) + 3H+(aq)  Al3+(aq) + 3H2O(l)
Al(OH)3(s) + 3OH-(aq)  AlO2-(aq) + 2H2O(l)
 Precipitationcommences at approximately
pH 4 and is complete between pH 6,5 – 7,5.
These pH range can be adjusted with the aid
of methyl red as indicator.
 The pH employed for precipitation must be
controlled.
Condition of Precipitation
 This pH controlling is achieved by the
addition of ammonium chloride which exerts
a buffering effect and also assists the
coagulation of initially colloidal precipitate.
 The presence of ammonium salt reduces to a
minimum co precipitation of the divalent
metal such as calcium and magnesium.
A readily filterable precipitate is obtained by
precipitation in hot solution.
 The precipitate cannot be washed with hot
water, for aluminium hydroxide is readily
peptised and will run through the filter.
 A 2 % neutral ammonium nitrate or chloride
solution is satisfactory, the presence of
ammonium chloride in the precipitate causes
no appreciable volatilisation aluminium during
ignition.
Igniting the Precipitation
 The aluminium oxide obtained by igniting
aluminium hydroxide is hygroscopic unless
the temperature has been raised at least
12000C. For this reason the precipitate should
be ignited in a silica crucible (porcelain is
slightly hygroscopic when heated to a high
temperature) over a Fisher or Meker burner.
The best procedure is in an electric furnace.