Aluminium selenide

Aluminium selenide is the inorganic compound with the formula Al₂Se₃.

Preparation

It is a solid prepared by igniting a mixture of the elements at :
The pure compound is white, but typical samples are coloured. Samples are usually protected from moisture, because they hydrolyze readily, giving off highly toxic hydrogen selenide gas:

Use

Al₂Se₃ has been used as a precursor to hydrogen selenide, which is released when the solid is treated with acids.