Tetrachloroaluminate

Tetrachloroaluminate [AlCl₄]⁻ is an anion formed from aluminium and chlorine. The anion has a tetrahedral shape and is isoelectronic with silicon tetrachloride. Some tetrachloroaluminates are soluble in organic solvents, creating an ionic non-aqueous solution, making them suitable as component of electrolytes for batteries. For example, lithium tetrachloroaluminate is used in some lithium batteries.

Tetrachloroaluminate

Names
IUPAC name Tetrachloroaluminate(1–)
Systematic IUPAC name Tetrachloroaluminate(1-)
Other names   Aluminate(1-), tetrachloro tetrachloridoaluminate(1-) tetrachloridoaluminate(1-); tetrachloroalumanuide tetrachloroalumanuide
Identifiers
CAS Number	17611-22-2 N[EPA]
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:30110
ChemSpider	10737456
Gmelin Reference	2297
PubChem CID	3728926
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID301336609
InChI InChI=1S/Al.4ClH/h;4*1H/q+3;;;;/p-4 Key: BXILREUWHCQFES-UHFFFAOYSA-J InChI=1S/Al.4ClH/h;4*1H/q+3;;;;/p-4 Key: BXILREUWHCQFES-UHFFFAOYSA-J
SMILES Cl[Al-](Cl)(Cl)Cl
Properties
Chemical formula	AlCl4−
Molar mass	168.78 g·mol−1
Structure
Point group	Td
Molecular shape	Tetrahedral
Hybridisation	sp3
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Formation

Tetrachloroaluminate ions are formed as intermediates in the Friedel–Crafts reactions when aluminium chloride is used as the catalyst. In the case of the Friedel–Crafts alkylation, the reaction can be broken into three steps as follows:^[1]

1. The alkyl halide reacts with the strong Lewis acid to form an activated electrophile composed of the tetrachloroaluminate ion and the alkyl group.

   

2. The aromatic ring (benzene in this case) reacts with the activated electrophile forming an alkylbenzenium carbocation.

   

3. The alkylbenzenium carbocation reacts with a tetrachloroaluminate anion, regenerating the aromatic ring and the Lewis acid and forming hydrochloric acid (HCl).

   

A similar mechanism occurs in the Friedel-Crafts acylation.^[2]