Aluminium phenolate

Aluminium phenolate is the metalloorganic compound with the formula [Al(OC₆H₅)₃]_n. It is a white solid. ²⁷Al NMR studies suggest that aluminium phenolate exists in benzene solution as a mixture of dimer and trimer.^[2] The compound can be prepared by the reaction of elemental aluminium with phenol:^[3]

Al + 3 HOC₆H₅ → Al(OC₆H₅)₃ + 1.5 H₂

Aluminium phenolate

Names
Other names Aluminium phenoxide
Identifiers
CAS Number	15086-27-8
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	146313
ECHA InfoCard	100.035.565
EC Number	239-137-8
PubChem CID	167236
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID401015343
InChI InChI=1S/3C6H6O.Al/c3*7-6-4-2-1-3-5-6;/h3*1-5,7H;/q;;;+3/p-3 Key: OPSWAWSNPREEFQ-UHFFFAOYSA-K
SMILES C1=CC=C(C=C1)[O-].C1=CC=C(C=C1)[O-].C1=CC=C(C=C1)[O-].[Al+3]
Properties
Chemical formula	C18H15AlO3
Molar mass	306.297 g·mol−1
Appearance	white solid
Hazards
GHS labelling:[1]
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H314
Precautionary statements	P260, P264, P280, P301+P330+P331, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P310, P321, P363, P405, P501
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

The compound is used as a catalyst for the alkylation of phenols with various alkenes. For example, the ethylphenols are generated commercially by treating phenol with ethylene in the presence of a catalytic amount of aluminium phenolate.^[4]

Related compounds

• Aluminium isopropoxide