Aluminum chloride, or AlCl3, is a chemical compound made up of aluminum and chlorine. It appears as a white or yellowish solid and is highly soluble in water. AlCl3 is commonly used in various industrial processes, including the production of aluminum metal and as a catalyst in chemical reactions. In addition to its industrial applications, AlCl3 plays a role in the field of chemistry as a Lewis acid, which means it can accept electron pairs from other substances. This property makes it useful in organic synthesis and in the manufacture of certain pharmaceuticals.