Aluminum chloride hexahydrate is an inorganic salt with the chemical formula AlCl₃·6H₂O. It is a white to yellowish crystalline solid, highly soluble in water, ethanol, and acetone. Unlike anhydrous aluminum chloride, it is not a strong Lewis acid and does not fume in air, making it easier to handle. Its primary application is as a flocculant and coagulant in water and wastewater treatment, where it destabilizes suspended particles to facilitate their removal. In industrial chemistry, it serves as a catalyst or catalyst precursor in various organic synthesis reactions, including Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation (though less active than the anhydrous form), and in the production of dyes and pigments. It is also used as a cross-linking agent and hardener in polymer chemistry, particularly for specific resins. The compound is corrosive and can cause severe skin burns and eye damage. It must be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from incompatible materials such as strong bases.