Shriver & Atkins: Inorganic Chemistry 4e 
3D Rotatable Molecular Structures
FiguresShriver & Atkins: Inorganic Chemistry 4e
Chapter 12
Reaction of aluminum with iodine
Aluminum is a reactive metal as is illustrated by this reaction with iodine. To initiate the reaction, some water is needed. The water probably dissolves enough iodine to initiate reaction at the aluminum-water interface.
2Al(s) + 3I2(s) → Al2I6(s)
The reaction is so exothermic that much of the iodine sublimes giving the deep purple vapor. The red-brown vapor is probably the volatile (covalent) aluminum iodide, boiling point 385°C. As the iodine is so volatile, it is probable that the later reaction is that of hot aluminum metal with atmospheric oxygen.
4Al(s) + 3O2(g) → 2Al2O3(s)
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Aluminum: reaction with acid and base
As an amphoteric metal, aluminum reacts with both acid and base.
2Al(s) + 6H+(aq) → 2Al3+(aq) + 3H2(g)
2Al(s) + 2OH-(aq) + 6H2O(l) → 2[Al(OH)4]-(aq) + 3H2(g)
The identity of the transient fine black precipitate that appears in the acid reaction is unknown to the authors.
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