MP EcoChrom™ Aluminum Oxide

MP EcoChrom™ Aluminium oxide is an amphoteric oxide. It is commonly referred to as alumina (α-alumina), aloxide, or corundum in its crystalline form, as well as many other names, reflecting its widespread occurrence in nature and industry. An oxide of aluminum, occurring in nature as various minerals such as bauxite, corundum, etc. It is used as an adsorbent, desiccating agent, and catalyst, and in the manufacture of dental cements and refractories.

MP EcoChrom™ Aluminium oxide catalyses a variety of reactions that are useful industrially. It is widely used to remove water from gas streams. Also used for its hardness and strength. It is widely used as an abrasive, including as a much less expensive substitute for industrial diamond. Many types of sandpaper use aluminium oxide crystals. In chemistry laboratories, alumina is a medium for chromatography, available in basic (pH 9.5), acidic (pH 4.5 when in water) and neutral formulations , as well as for alcohols, hydrocarbons, steroids, alkaloids and natural pigments. Neutral alumina, (less active than the basic form) is useful for separation of aldehydes, ketones, quinones, esters, lactones, and glucosides. Acidic alumina, 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. As well, it is used as a dosimeter for radiation protection and therapy applications for its optically stimulated luminescence properties.