Aluminium Carbonate Formula: Structure, Properties & Uses

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Muskan Shafi

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Aluminium Carbonate is an aluminium salt that does not occur in nature in normal conditions. Aluminium Carbonbate Formula is Al2(CO3)3. It is possible to produce it at high carbon dioxide pressure and at temperatures near to 0°C. 

  • It can also be defined as a salt form of carbonic acid and an antacid with phosphate-binding action.
  • Pure aluminium carbonate is extremely uncommon in nature.
  • Storing aluminium carbonate requires the development of a highly complicated mechanism that would safeguard the chemical from any external forces.
  • It is used as a drug to treat stomach inflammation and ulcerations.

Key Terms: Aluminium Carbonate, Aluminium Carbonate Formula, Salt, Aluminium Oxide, Aluminium Gydroxide, Ions


What is Aluminium Carbonate?

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Aluminium Carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula Al2(CO3)3. It is a white, crystalline solid that is insoluble in water. It is also known as Aluminium Tricarbonate, or Aluminium Trioxide Carbonate.

  • It is formed by the reaction of aluminium hydroxide and carbon dioxide in the presence of water.
  • It is used in the production of other aluminium compounds, such as alumina, which is used in the production of aluminium metal.
  • In water treatment, it is used as a pH stabiliser and a source of aluminium ions.
  • It is also used in the production of ceramics, as a filler in plastics, and as an ingredient in antacids.
  • Aluminium carbonate can also be used to purify water by removing dissolved phosphate and silicate ions.
  • It is generally considered to be a safe chemical with low toxicity, but prolonged exposure to high concentrations of aluminium ions can cause health problems.

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Aluminium Carbonate Formula

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Aluminium Carbonate is represented by the chemical formula Al2(CO3)3. Some of them well-known compounds that contain Al2(CO3)3 naturally are as follows:

  1. Basic sodium aluminium carbonate mineral dawsonite (NaAlCO3(OH)2)
  2. Basic aluminium carbonate minerals scarbroite (Al5(CO3)(OH)13•5(H2O))
  3. Hydroscarbroite (Al14(CO3)3(OH)36•nH2O)

Two aluminium ions are present in the bonding between the three carboxylic groups that constitute the Aluminium Carbonate Formula. 

  • The structural aluminium carbonate formula has 9 hydrogen bond acceptors.
  • Aluminium carbonate has the formula (Al2(CO3)3
  • Aluminium has a charge of +3 in general. 

Aluminium Carbonate Structure

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The chemical structure of Aluminium Carbonate is as follows:

What is Aluminium Carbonate Structure

Aluminium Carbonate Structure


Aluminium Carbonate Preparation

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Aluminium Carbonate is prepared as follows: 

  • The fusion of an aluminium base with an alkali carbon metal produces aluminium carbonate.
  • It decomposes quickly after formation due to hydrolysis in the aluminium carbonate molecule.
  • The weak acid and its symbiotic relationship with a poor base that cannot withstand air conditions are the causes of its disintegration. 
  • Aluminium carbonate's volatility makes it tough to keep and research. 
  • Aluminium oxide and carbon dioxide gas are formed when aluminium carbonate decomposes. 
  • During the mixing process, the aluminium ion separates from the oxygen atom, which then mixes with carbon to form carbon oxide.

Aluminium Carbonate Chemical Properties

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The following are some of the important chemical properties of Aluminium Carbonate:

  • Dialuminum Tricarbonate is the IUPAC name for Aluminium Carbonate.
  • Aluminium carbonate has a molecular weight of 233.99.
  • The chemical has a hydrogen bond acceptor number of 9.
  • The number of hydrogen bond donors is zero.
  • There are no bonds that can be rotated.
  • The chemical compound has a complexity of 18.8.
  • The number of covalently bonding units is 5.

Aluminium Carbonate Physical Properties

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Aluminium Carbonate doesn’t exist in normal circumstances. To store it, an extremely complicated system would be required. This is due to increased chemical activity or other environmental conditions. Furthermore, this complicated mechanism would keep aluminium carbonate from being accessed from the outside. The following are the physical characteristics of aluminium carbonate:

  • Aluminium carbonate has a density of 5 g/cm3.
  • The chemical has a molar mass of 96.09 g/mol.
  • They are water soluble.
  • The melting point of aluminium carbonate is 58 °C.
  • At the boiling point, it decomposes.
  • The physical appearance of aluminium carbonate might be described as dusty and white. They seem like white powder.

The properties of Aluminium Carbonate as listed as follows: 

Properties of Aluminium Carbonate 
Compound Name Aluminium Carbonate
Colour Appearance White Powder
Molecule Formula Al2(CO3)3
Melting Point 58 °C
Boiling Point Decomposition
Density 1.5 g/cm³
Molar Mass 96.09 g/mol
Water Solubility Soluble in water

Uses of Aluminium Carbonate

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Aluminium carbonate is a carbonate salt of aluminium and can be used for the following purposes: 

(I) Aluminium carbonate is a medication that is used to treat acid reflux, stomach irritation, and ulcers. 

  • To regulate gastrointestinal issues, it can be taken as a tablet or as a drink. 
  • Aluminium carbonate should be used with caution since it can reduce the effectiveness of other drugs. 
  • Aluminium carbonate overuse can cause constipation and some pain. 
  • Some people are allergic to aluminium and should avoid using aluminium carbonate. 

(II) Aluminium carbonate, together with aluminium hydroxide and aluminium oxide, is a medicine that is frequently given to dogs and cats.

  • It is used to inhibit dietary phosphate absorbing capacity, as well as to decrease absorption of pancreatic phosphate. 
  • It is rarely used in humans due to toxicity concerns, although cats and dogs do not appear to have a harmful response to its presence.

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Things to Remember

  • Aluminium Carbonate is a carbonate of an aluminium salt that doesn’t exist in normal conditions.
  • Aluminium Carbonate Formula is Al2(CO3)3.
  • Aluminium carbonate can be prepared by passing carbon dioxide under high pressure at a temperature close to zero degrees in a furnace.
  • Al2(CO3)3 can be extracted off the surface of aluminium oxide in the presence of carbon dioxide.
  • Al2(CO3)is useful in avoiding the development of urinary stones in humans. 

Sample Questions

Ques. Why is there no Aluminium Carbonate in normal conditions? (2 Marks)

Ans. Aluminium carbonate cannot exist in normal conditions because it is too unstable to exist and would rather be broken down. To start from, the aluminium ion is very polarising and has a high positive charge (tiny triply charged ion).

Ques. What is the formula of the Aluminium Hydrogen Carbonate? (3 Marks)

Ans. The chemical formula for aluminium hydrogen carbonate is Al(HCO3)3. It is also known as aluminium bicarbonate or aluminium hydrogen carbonate hydroxide. It is a white powder composed of aluminium, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms. It is not a commonly used compound in industry or everyday life, but it can be found in some natural mineral deposits.

Ques. What is the IUPAC Name for Aluminum Carbonate? (2 Marks)

Ans. The IUPAC name for aluminium carbonate is tri-carbonato-dialuminium. It is a compound made up of three carbonate ions and two aluminium ions. The IUPAC naming system is a set of rules used to name chemical compounds in a consistent and standardised way.

Ques. What are the various chemical properties of Aluminum Carbonate? (5 Marks)

Ans. The chemical properties of the Aluminium Carbonate are as follows:

  • Aluminium carbonate Al2(CO3)3 is a white powder that is insoluble in water.
  • It decomposes when heated, which means it breaks down into other chemical compounds. When heated, it produces carbon dioxide and aluminium oxide.
  • It reacts with acids, which means it reacts with certain chemical compounds that contain hydrogen ions. When it reacts with acids, it releases carbon dioxide.
  • It is not combustible, which means it does not burn easily.
  • It can generate heat when it reacts with strong acids, which means that it can release heat energy when it reacts with certain acids.
  • It is not considered to be toxic, which means it is not poisonous to humans or animals.

Ques. What are the various Physical properties of Aluminum Carbonate? (5 Marks)

Ans. The Physical Properties of the Aluminium Carbonate are as follows:

  • Aluminium carbonate Al2(CO3)3 is a white powder that has a crystalline structure.
  • It has a relatively low density, typically around 2.8 to 3.0 g/cm3.
  • It has a low solubility in water, meaning it does not dissolve easily in water.
  • Its melting point is about 1250 °C
  • Its boiling point is not well defined since it decomposes before boiling.
  • It is not combustible, meaning it does not catch fire easily.
  • It has a relatively low toxicity, it is considered to be relatively safe to handle.
  • It is not considered to be a dangerous chemical, meaning it is not known to be particularly hazardous or harmful.

Ques. What is the purpose of Calcium Carbonate? (2 Marks)

Ans. Calcium Carbonate is a dietary supplement that is used when the quantity of calcium in the diet is insufficient. The body need calcium to maintain healthy bones, muscles, neurological system, and heart. Calcium carbonate is commonly used antacid to treat heartburn and stomach discomfort.

Ques. What is the composition of Aluminium Carbonate? (2 Marks)

Ans. The fusion of an aluminium base with an alkali carbon metal produces aluminium carbonate. It decomposes quickly after formation due to hydrolysis in the aluminium carbonate molecule.

Ques. What are the uses of Aluminum Carbonate? (5 Marks)

Ans. The uses of the Aluminium Carbonate are as follows:

  • Aluminium carbonate Al2(CO3)3 is not a commonly used compound in industry or everyday life.
  • It is sometimes used in the production of alum, which is a compound used in water purification and in the tanning of leather.
  • It is also used as a filler or a coating in some industrial applications.
  • It has been used as a food additive, particularly as a leavening agent in baking.
  • It is used as a pH adjusting agent in some water treatment processes
  • It is also used in the production of other aluminium compounds such as alumina and aluminium oxide.
  • It is also used as a starting material in the production of other aluminium compounds.

Ques. Does Zinc Carbonate exist? (2 Marks)

Ans. Zinc carbonate is an inorganic substance with the chemical formula ZnCO3. It is a white solid that cannot be dissolved in water. It may be found in nature as the mineral smithsonite. Zinc carbonate has the same chemical structure as calcium carbonate.

Ques. Who should avoid using Aluminium Carbonate? (3 Marks)

Ans. One should notify the doctor before using Aluminium Carbonate if he/she has renal illness, a condition that causes sluggish stomach emptying, or if he/she is taking any other medications. If a person has any of the problems stated above, then he/she may be unable to take aluminium carbonate, or he/she may require a dosage change or particular monitoring throughout therapy.

Ques. Is Aluminium Carbonate an antacid? (2 Marks)

Ans. An antacid that lowers stomach acid by interacting with phosphate in the gut and then excreting it as aluminium carbonate in the stool. Due to lower serum phosphate levels, aluminium carbonate may boost calcium absorption. The medication is also astringent and adsorbent.


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