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Synthesis of an Aluminum Hydroxide Octamer through a Simple Dissolution Method
Author(s) -
Perkins Cory K.,
Eitrheim Eric S.,
Fulton Brantly L.,
Fullmer Lauren B.,
Colla Christopher A.,
Park DeokHie,
Oliveri Anna F.,
Hutchison James E.,
Nyman May,
Casey William H.,
Forbes Tori Z.,
Johnson Darren W.,
Keszler Douglas A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201702318
Subject(s) - dissolution , cluster (spacecraft) , chemistry , electrospray ionization , hydroxide , mass spectrometry , inorganic chemistry , ionization , crystallography , organic chemistry , ion , chromatography , computer science , programming language
Multimeric oxo‐hydroxo Al clusters function as models for common mineral structures and reactions. Cluster research, however, is often slowed by a lack of methods to prepare clusters in pure form and in large amounts. Herein, we report a facile synthesis of the little known cluster Al 8 (OH) 14 (H 2 O) 18 (SO 4 ) 5 ( Al 8 ) through a simple dissolution method. We confirm its structure by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and show by 27 Al NMR spectroscopy, electrospray‐ionization mass spectrometry, and small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering that it also exists in solution. We speculate that Al 8 may form in natural water systems through the dissolution of aluminum‐containing minerals in acidic sulfate solutions, such as those that could result from acid rain or mine drainage. Additionally, the dissolution method produces a discrete Al cluster on a scale suitable for studies and applications in materials science.