Aluminum bromide, also known by its common name aluminum tribromide and IUPAC name tribromoalumane, is a hygroscopic compound represented by the chemical formula AlBr₃ ^{[1, 4]}. Its dimeric form (Al₂Br₆) exists mainly in the solid phase ^[2].

Aluminum Bromide Identification
CAS Number	7727-15-3 [1]
PubChem CID	24409 [1]
ChemSpider ID	22818 [3]
UN Number	1725 [1]
NSC Number	87608 [1]
EC Number	231-779-7 [1, 4]
RTECS Number	BD0350000 [4]
InChI Key	PQLAYKMGZDUDLQ-UHFFFAOYSA-K [1]

How is Aluminum Bromide Prepared

It is synthesized by the slow addition of pieces of aluminum foil to liquid bromine, and this direct bromination is represented by the following reaction ^[5]:

2Al + 3Br₂ → 2AlBr₃

The equation is highly exothermic and causes the aluminum foil to melt, producing heat and light ^[5].

Reaction with Chlorine

When aluminum bromide reacts with chlorine, it undergoes single replacement to yield aluminum chloride and bromine, which is shown by the following balanced equation:

2AlBr₃+ 3Cl₂ → 2AlCl₃ + 3Br₂

Properties and Characteristics of Aluminum Bromide

General Properties
Molar Mass/Molecular Weight	266.69 g/mol [1, 4]
Physical Properties
Color and Appearance	White to pale yellowish-red, lumpy powder (anhydrous form) [1, 4]
Odor	Pungent [1]
Melting Point	97.5 °C, 207.5 °F (anhydrous) [1]
Boiling Point	255 °C, 491 °F (anhydrous) [1]
Density	3.2 g cm-3 [1, 4]
State of matter at room temperature	Solid [1, 4]
Solubility	Soluble in benzene, toluene, nitrobenzene, ether, methyl alcohol, and acetone [1]
Solubility in Water	Highly soluble, partially hydrolyzes shown by a fuming solution and appearance of white precipitate
Heat Capacity (C)	100.6 J/(mol.K)
Lattice Constant (a, b, and c)	0.7512 nm, 0.7091 nm, and 1.0289 nm
Atomic Properties
Crystal Structure	Monoclinic lattice [6]

What is It Used for

Although it does not have any significant commercial applications, its anhydrous form works as a catalyst for increasing the rate of Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction ^{[7, 8]}.

Is Aluminum Bromide Toxic

Exposure through inhalation and swallowing can cause acute toxicity ^[8]. Contact with skin and eyes can result in irritation, corrosion, and damage ^[8].

References
1. Aluminum Bromide (Compound) – Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2. Aluminum Bromide – Aluminumsulfate.net
3. Aluminium Bromide – Chemspider.com
4. Aluminum Bromide – Americanelements.com
5. Reaction Between Aluminum and Bromine – Chemed.chem.purdue.edu
6. The Crystal Structure of Aluminum Bromide – Onlinelibrary.wiley.com
7. Aluminium Bromide (T3D1720) – T3db.ca
8. Aluminum Bromide – Chemicalbook.com