Alchemy
The predecessor of chemistry, practiced from as early as 500 B.C. through the 16th century. Its two principal goals were transmutation of the boaster metals into gold and discovery of a universal remedy. Modern chemistry grew out of alchemy in gradual stages.

Alco process
A more efficient method of producing aluminium form bauxite which requires one-third less electric powder than the Hall process. Alumina is reacted with chlorine, the resulting aluminium chloride yielding the metal and chlorine on electrolysis. No fluorine is required in the process. Prototype plants are under development.

Alcoholysis
A reaction in which an alcohol plays a part similar to that of water in hydrolysis.

Alkali
Refers to a water-soluble strong base. Strictly, the term refers to the hydroxides of the alkali metals only, but in common usage, it refers to any soluble base. Thus borax solution may be described as mildly alkaline.

Alkali metals
Those metals whose hydroxides give strong bases are called alkali metals. The elements of group 1 of the periodic table are known as alkali metals. These are Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Caesium (Cs) and Francium (Fr) The general electronic configuration of these elements is ns1.