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Author: Subject: Which alums exist?
chornedsnorkack
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[*] posted on 27-12-2020 at 10:02
Which alums exist?


Well, which do?
An alum requires:
  1. A monovalent cation of proper size
  2. A trivalent cation of proper size
  3. A divalent anion compatible with the above

Known monovalent cations compatible to form some alums are:
  1. Na+
  2. K+
  3. Rb+
  4. Cs+
  5. Tl+
  6. NH4+
  7. CH3NH3+
  8. HONH3+
  9. NH2N3+

Monovalent cations not known to form alums:
  1. Li+ - too small
  2. Ag+ - liable to precipitate with eligible anions?

Trivalent cations known to form alums:
  1. Al3+
  2. Ga3+
  3. In3+
  4. Ti3+
  5. V3+
  6. Cr3+
  7. Mn3+
  8. Fe3+
  9. Co3+
  10. Mo3+
  11. Ru3+
  12. Rh3+
  13. Ir3+

Trivalent cations not known to form alums:
  1. Tl3+
  2. Bi3+
  3. Sc3+
  4. Rare earths
  5. Au3+

While rare earths are explained to be too big, is absence of scandium alums actually confirmed?
Divalent anions that are known to form alums:
  1. (SO4)2-
  2. (SeO4)2-

Note that since all alums are acids due to the trivalent cations, other similar anions like (MnO4)2- and (FeO4)2-, are not stable in conditions where alums are. Even chromate seems to turn into dichromate in the relevant pH.

So, which of the combinations donĀ“t work? Any more cations or anions suitable for alums?
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DraconicAcid
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[*] posted on 27-12-2020 at 10:24


I'm pretty sure I've read about chromate-doped alums, if not pure ones.



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Bezaleel
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[*] posted on 27-12-2020 at 15:01


K2SO4.Pr2(SO4)3.2H2O and its ammonium congener actually exists, but it is not usually considered an alum, because of its structure and because it has only 1 H2O per KPr(SO4)2. In contrast to alums, it's neither very soluble.
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soreff
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[*] posted on 29-12-2020 at 19:57


I'd though that the divalent anion could also be (PO3F)2- but I haven't been able to find a reference :-(
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soreff
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[*] posted on 30-12-2020 at 12:43


Found: https://www.nature.com/articles/126916b0
which, amongst other things, states:
"monofluorphosphoric acid H2PO3F resembles sulphuric acid H2SO4 so closely that it even gives alums, which are isomorphous with ordinary sulphate alums"
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Diachrynic
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[*] posted on 3-1-2021 at 08:13


Guanidinium is another known cation for alumn, and the water of crystallization they all form with can be replaced by D2O. This german paper gives a good overview over their crystallography: https://doi.org/10.1524/zkri.1961.116.16.371



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Bezaleel
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[*] posted on 4-1-2021 at 07:30


Quote: Originally posted by soreff  
Found: https://www.nature.com/articles/126916b0
which, amongst other things, states:
"monofluorphosphoric acid H2PO3F resembles sulphuric acid H2SO4 so closely that it even gives alums, which are isomorphous with ordinary sulphate alums"
That's interesting. However, H2PO3F is not a substance I feel comfortable playing with.

Quote: Originally posted by Diachrynic  
Guanidinium is another known cation for alumn, and the water of crystallization they all form with can be replaced by D2O. This german paper gives a good overview over their crystallography: https://doi.org/10.1524/zkri.1961.116.16.371
Tetramethyl- and tetrabutylammonium will do as well, I guess. What would really interest me is a water soluble cation which is bigger than caesium, since the caesium alums are most easily formed.
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Bedlasky
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[*] posted on 4-1-2021 at 08:07


Tetralkylammonium is bigger, isn't it?



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Bezaleel
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[*] posted on 5-1-2021 at 15:55


Quote: Originally posted by Bedlasky  
Tetralkylammonium is bigger, isn't it?
From Wiki:
The ionic radius for TMA is given as 0.322 nm (doi:10.1021/ja00418a002)
Cs+ has an ionic radius of 174 pm (Wells, A. F. (1984). Structural Inorganic Chemistry (5th ed.). Oxford Science Publications. ISBN 978-0-19-855370-0)

So I misread and you're right. Thanks!
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