My chemistry textbook has a rather annoying irregularity.
It cites two different reactions for the same set of reactants (aluminium oxide, sodium hydroxide and water) without the slightest mention of a particular temperature or concentration. Here they are:
In a chapter on the p-block elements:
$$\ce{Al2O3 (s) + 6 NaOH (aq) + 3 H2O (l) -> 2 Na3[Al(OH)6] (aq)}$$
In a chapter on metallurgy, under the topic of 'Extraction of aluminium from bauxite':
$$\ce{Al2O3 (s) + 2 NaOH (aq) + 3 H2O (l) -> 2 Na[Al(OH)4] (aq)}$$
Which one of these is correct? Or are they both correct, depending on the situation? If so, under what conditions are they correct?
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