Aluminium selenide explained

Aluminium selenide is the inorganic compound with the formula Al₂Se₃.

Preparation

It is a solid prepared by igniting a mixture of the elements at :

2 Al + 3 Se → Al₂Se₃The pure compound is white, but typical samples are coloured.^[1] Samples are usually protected from moisture, because they hydrolyze readily, giving off highly toxic hydrogen selenide gas:^[2]

Al₂Se₃ + 3 H₂O → Al₂O₃ + 3 H₂Se

Use

Al₂Se₃ has been used as a precursor to hydrogen selenide, which is released when the solid is treated with acids.^[1]

Notes and References

1. Book: Waitkins . G. R. . Shutt . R. . Aluminum Selenide and Hydrogen Selenide . 1946 . Inorganic Syntheses . 2 . 183–186 . 10.1002/9780470132333.ch55 . 9780470132333 .
2. Langner, Bernd E. (2005) "Selenium and Selenium Compounds" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim.