AlCl3
Aluminum chloride
Al3+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Aluminum?
Aluminum commonly forms Al3+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Aluminum usually has a common ionic charge of +3, written as Al3+.
| Element | Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Al |
| Atomic number | 13 |
| Common ionic charge | +3 |
| Common ions | Al3+ |
Why Aluminum has this charge
Aluminum has common reference charges of +3. Use the compound name and context to distinguish ionic charge from oxidation state.
Aluminum charge examples
Al2O3
Aluminum oxide
Aluminum can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Aluminum charge the same as oxidation state?
Ionic charge is the charge on an actual ion. Oxidation state is a bookkeeping number used inside compounds. They can match, but they are not always the same thing.
How do I use this in formulas?
Combine positive and negative ions so the total charge is zero. You can also use the ionic compound calculator.
Where can I see the full chart?
Use the periodic table with charges or the ionic charges chart.