Aluminium selenide is the inorganic compound with the formula Al2Se3.
Preparation It is a solid prepared by igniting a mixture of the elements at : 2 Al + 3 Se → Al2Se3 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:Langner, Bernd E. (2005) "Selenium and Selenium Compounds" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. Al2Se3 + 3 H2O → Al2O3 + 3 H2Se
Use Al2Se3 has been used as a precursor to hydrogen selenide, which is released when the solid is treated with acids.
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