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Is aluminum oxide an amphoteric oxide?

Answer:
Aluminum*)oxide is an amphoteric compound by being both 1. acidic and 2. alkaline
1. acidic
It will dissolve in hydroxide (an alkaline solution):
Al2O3 + 2OH- + 3H2O --> 2 Al(OH)4- aluminate anion




2. alkaline
It will dissolve in acidic H+ solution:
Al2O3 + 6H+ --> 2Al3+ + 3H2O




The amphoteric, neutral formula can be written as both Al2O3.(H2O)3 and: 2Al(OH)3



Added
(The same answer, but this time written without ions in solvent):

Aluminium*)oxide is amphoteric:
  • Al2O3(s) can react with a base:


Al2O3(s) + 2NaOH(aq) + H2O(l) --> 2NaAl(OH)4(aq)
Aluminium oxide + sodium hydroxide + water --> sodium aluminate
  • Al2O3 can react with an acid:


Al2O3(s) + 6HCl(aq) --> 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2O(l)
Aluminium oxide + hydrochloric acid --> aluminum chloride + water

*) The USA spells Al as aluminum; British Isles as aluminum. Both are correct.
First answer by JoppeDeQuint. Last edit by JoppeDeQuint. Contributor trust: 170 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 2 [recommend question].

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