Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Would cutting aluminum foil under solvent prevent passivation?

DaniloTraverg - 30-9-2023 at 12:12

Just something I've been wondering, since using a solvent that doesn't dissolve oxygen (anything but water?) would prevent aluminum oxide from forming and keep the newly exposed surfaces pure aluminum.

Would this work, and has anyone tried it?

Fulmen - 30-9-2023 at 12:32

Yeah, but only to a degree and for a short while. It's hard to completely prevent oxidation outside of a noble gas atmosphere. But I have successfully tinned aluminum foil using some oil (silicon perhaps, I forget), although it was always a bit hit-and-miss.


DaniloTraverg - 30-9-2023 at 12:38

Quote: Originally posted by Fulmen  
Yeah, but only to a degree and for a short while. It's hard to completely prevent oxidation outside of a noble gas atmosphere. But I have successfully tinned aluminum foil using some oil (silicon perhaps, I forget), although it was always a bit hit-and-miss.



By your estimation, would this method be useful for making aluminum isopropoxide under isopropanol?

cirrostratus - 30-9-2023 at 21:54

Hey,
I've done a bunch of experiments with Aluminum Isopropoxide.

I've always been able to use scissored-up aluminum foil for making it, just with a catalytic amount of Iodine in the reaction flask. Even just a couple of prills worth in a 500 ml set up. It takes a while for the reaction to get going though (like a couple of hours) so I usually just let it reflux for a while.

Catalytic Iodine is also great for similar purposes in Grignards.

[Edited on 1-10-2023 by cirrostratus]

unionised - 1-10-2023 at 01:25

Quote: Originally posted by DaniloTraverg  
a solvent that doesn't dissolve oxygen


Easier said than done.

SnailsAttack - 7-10-2023 at 02:06

Quote: Originally posted by unionised  
Quote: Originally posted by DaniloTraverg  
a solvent that doesn't dissolve oxygen

Easier said than done.

I think most non-polar solvents have an affinity for the diatomic gases, though I haven't been able to find any data for this.