Aluminium carbide

Colorless crystals

Fixed

2.36 g · cm -3

2100 ° C.

Decomposition> 2200 ° C.

In water, violent decomposition

Risk

-209 KJ · mol -1

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Aluminum carbide is an inorganic chemical compound selected from the group consisting of carbides; here it is one of the Methaniden ( C4 ), as it is formally derived from methane. It consists of the elements aluminum and carbon.

Synthesis

The production of aluminum carbide takes place in the electric furnace in a hydrogen atmosphere at 2000 ° C of the elements. Due to contamination with residual aluminum, the reaction product is yellowish to orange.

Properties

It forms colorless to pale yellow, hexagonal crystals (a = 3.325, c = 24.94 Å) and melts at a temperature of 2100 ° C. Above 2200 ° C, it is no longer stable and decomposes.

Because of his character as salt-like carbide aluminum carbide reacts with acids to methane and aluminum salt solutions.

Aluminum carbide is the only addition to beryllium carbide which reacts with water under formation of methane.