Aluminum oxide is used for the separation of both inorganic anions and acidic organic molecules such as acidic amino acids, aromatic acids and carboxylic acids. It is essential in protein extraction as a component in the preparation of tissues. It is also used as a grinding or blending agent. Aluminum oxide is a source of aluminum in reactions, an abrasive agent, and as a refractory material. Also Aluminum oxide can act as a catalyst in a variety of reactions such as the claus process and in the dehydration of alcohols to alkenes. In single crystals of aluminum oxide intrinsic diffusion occurs in a high temperature region.
