A salt formed when aluminium hydroxide or γ-alumina is dissolved in solutions of strong bases, such as sodium hydroxide. Aluminates exist in solutions containing the aluminate ion, commonly written [Al(OH)4]-. In fact the ion probably is a complex hydrated ion and can be regarded as formed from a hydrated Al3+ ion by removal of four hydrogen ions:
Other aluminates and polyaluminates, such as [Al(OH)6]3− and [(HO)3AlOAl(OH)3]2−, are also present. See also aluminium hydroxide.