Aluminium chlorohydrate
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Aluminium chlorohydrate is a group of salts having the general formula AlnCl(3n-m)(OH)m. It is used in deodorants and antiperspirants and as a flocculant in water purification.
In water purification, where it is usually called polyaluminium chloride, this compound is preferred in some cases because the pH value can be varied according to the exact values chosen for the subscripts n and m in the pattern formula. Although many variations are used, an especially important combination is Al12Cl12(OH)24. The actual pH correlates to the formula m/(3n).
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[edit] Structure
Aluminium chlorohydrate is best described as an inorganic polymer and as such is difficult to structurally characterise. However, techniques such as Gel permeation chromatography, X-ray crystallography and 27Al-NMR have been used research by various groups including that of Nazar (1) and Laden (2) to show that the material is based on Al13 units with a Keggin ion structure and that this base unit then undergoes complex transformations to form larger poly-aluminium complexes.
[edit] Synthesis
[edit] Uses
The variation most commonly used in deodorants and antiperspirants is Al2Cl(OH)5. There is no scientific evidence supporting widespread rumors that aluminum salts in deodorants can cause Alzheimer's disease or breast cancer.[citation needed]
[edit] Synonyms
- aluminium hydroxychloride
- aluminium chlorhydroxide
- aluminium chloride basic
- polyaluminium chloride (or polyaluminum chloride)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- 1; L.C. Rowsell and L.F. Nazar, Speciation and Thermal Transformation in Alumina Sols: Structures of the Polyhydroxyoxoaluminum Cluster [Al30O8(OH)56(H2O)26]18+ and Its d-Keggin Moiety, J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2000), 122(15), 3777.
- 2: Antiperspirants and Deodorants (Cosmetic Science & Technology) by Karl Laden and Carl B. Felger