Aluminium hydroxide
Aluminium hydroxide is a chemical compound with the formula Al(OH)3. It is one of the most important aluminium compounds, used in the Bayer process to purify aluminium and alumina from ores like bauxite.
Aluminium hydroxide is an example of an amphoteric hydroxide, a type of chemical which can act as either an acid or a base. In the Bayer process, aluminium hydroxide is an acid that reacts with sodium hydroxide to make hydrated sodium aluminate, NaAl(OH)4. It reacts as a base with sulfuric acid to make aluminium sulfate.
