If aluminum hydroxide -Al(OH)3- is an acid, why does it end with hydroxide instead of beginning with hydrogen?
Aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) is actually not an acid, but a base. These chemical names can be a bit confusing, so let me explain.
The naming convention for bases is different from that of acids. Bases are typically named after the hydroxide ion (OH-) that is present in their chemical formula. The hydroxide ion is made up of one oxygen atom bonded with one hydrogen atom (OH-).
In the case of aluminum hydroxide, the formula Al(OH)3 tells us that it consists of one aluminum atom (Al) bonded with three hydroxide ions (OH-). The aluminum ion has a positive charge of +3, and each hydroxide ion has a negative charge of -1. These charges balance to create a neutral compound.
Aluminum hydroxide is considered a base because it can accept hydrogen ions (H+) from an acid to form water. Bases have the ability to neutralize acids by accepting their hydrogen ions.
To summarize, the name "aluminum hydroxide" indicates the presence of the hydroxide ion (OH-) in the compound, suggesting its basic nature. It does not begin with hydrogen because it is not an acid.