Anhydrous `AlCl_(3)` produces fumes in the air because of

Options

A. hydrolysis
B. dehydration
C. hydration
D. oxidation

Answer

To solve the question regarding why anhydrous AlCl₃ produces fumes in the air, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the nature of anhydrous AlCl₃
Anhydrous aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) is a white solid that can readily react with moisture in the air.

**Hint:** Recall that "anhydrous" means without water, and consider how it might interact with water vapor in the atmosphere.

### Step 2: Identify the reaction with moisture
When anhydrous AlCl₃ comes into contact with moisture, it undergoes hydrolysis. This means it reacts with water to form hydrochloric acid (HCl) and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃).

**Hint:** Think about what happens when a dry substance interacts with water vapor. What products might form?

### Step 3: Write the hydrolysis reaction
The hydrolysis of AlCl₃ can be represented by the following chemical equation:
\[ 2 \text{AlCl}_3 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow 2 \text{Al(OH)}_3 + 6 \text{HCl} \]
This reaction shows that aluminum chloride reacts with water to produce aluminum hydroxide and hydrochloric acid.

**Hint:** Consider the products of the reaction. What gas is produced that could lead to fuming?

### Step 4: Analyze the fuming of HCl
The hydrochloric acid (HCl) produced in the reaction is a gas at room temperature and can form fumes when it comes into contact with moisture in the air. These fumes are visible as white clouds due to the formation of tiny droplets of hydrochloric acid.

**Hint:** Think about how gases can interact with air and what visible effects they might have.

### Conclusion
Therefore, anhydrous AlCl₃ produces fumes in the air primarily due to its hydrolysis, which generates hydrochloric acid gas.

**Final Answer:** The correct reason is hydrolysis.