[GATACA CODE]

I have isolated copper from copper sulfate (CuSO4 . 5H2O ) - by the addition of aluminum to a solution of the above...


    It got me asking the question : Is this posible to do with aluminum ?

I.E. - make a solution of say aluminum chloride and react it with some other metal and get pure aluminum to form?

Well thanks for any help - even if you dont want to give me the answer please guide me in some obvious direction...

Thanks ...

[Borek]

Is this posible to do with aluminum ?

Google electronegativity series. Check if the water will not interfere.

[lemonoman]

Agreed.  If you want to get realy technical, you can think of this addition as the creation of an electrochemical cell:

One reaction was Al_(s) --> Al³⁺_(aq) + 3 e^-
And the other is Cu²⁺_(aq) + 2 e- --> Cu_(s)

And here's the deal.  If you write each as a reduction:
Al³⁺_(aq) + 3 e^- --> Al_(s)

E = E°_Al

Cu²⁺_(aq) + 2 e- --> Cu_(s)

E = E°_Cu

Whenever you have two 'half reactions' like this, the one which has the lowest E° is more likely to occur as shown.  In your case, E°_Cu would be lowest - hence the copper precipitate and the aluminum 'dissolves'.

All you need to do then is find a reaction like these, what occurs for a smaller number.  THAT will make the aluminum precipitate from the solution for the exact same reason as the copper did.

Good luck!