Gelation of aluminum soaps in hydrocarbon

The gelation of aluminium soaps in hydrocarbon has been studied by investigating: (1) the degree of association of aluminium alkoxides, (2) the effect of moisture on the viscosity of benzene solutions of aluminium soaps prepared in situ by the reaction of fatty acids with aluminium alkoxides, (3) the properties of monolayers of aluminium soaps spread on water. Results indicate that the product of reaction between an aluminium alkoxide and a fatty acid is a di-soap and that gelation only takes place when the third valency of the aluminium atom is occupied by a hydroxyl group.