What is the type of the reaction #4Al + 6HCl -> 2Al_2Cl_3 + 3H_2#?

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Answer 1 · 2018-05-27T09:04:31

This is a redox process....note that #Al_2Cl_3# is a typo...

Aluminum metal is oxidized to aluminum ion...

#Al(s) rarr Al^(3+) +3e^-# #(i)#

Hydrogen ion is REDUCED to dihydrogen...

#H^+ +e^(-) rarr 1/2H_2(g)# #(ii)#

We add #(i)+3xx(ii)#

#Al(s)+3H^+ +3e^(-) rarr Al^(3+) +3/2H_2(g)+3e^-#

...on cancellation....

#Al(s)+3H^+ rarr Al^(3+) +3/2H_2(g)#

Of course we could add #3xxCl^-# to both sides...

#Al(s)+3HCl(aq) rarr AlCl_3(aq) +3/2H_2(g)#