Description

• Alumina N is an oxide of aluminum, occurring in nature as various minerals such as bauxite, corundum, etc
• It catalyzes a variety of reactions that are useful industrially
• In chemistry laboratories, as a medium for chromatography (available in basic, acidic and neutral formulations), as well as for alcohols, hydrocarbons, steroids, alkaloids and natural pigments
• As an abrasive, due to its hardness and strength (e.g
• as an inexpensive substitute for industrial diamond; used in many types of sandpaper in crystal form)
• Widely used to remove water from gas streams
• In the manufacture of dental cements and refractories
• Neutral alumina, (less active than the basic form) is useful for separation of aldehydes, ketones, quinones, esters, lactones, and glucosides
• Acidic alumina (pH 4.5 when in water), is the weakest and least often used type
• Alumina is useful for separation of acid pigments and strong acids
• It can cause polymerization, condensation and dehydration reactions
• Neither acetone nor ethyl acetate should be used as eluants, the latter being subject to saponification
• It is used as a dosimeter for radiation protection and therapy applications for its optically stimulated luminescence properties.