2827.32.00.00 - Of aluminum

This classification, HTS 2827.32.00.00, specifically pertains to aluminum chlorides. These are inorganic chemical compounds where aluminum is bonded to chlorine. This category encompasses various forms of aluminum chlorides, including anhydrous aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and hydrated aluminum chlorides, which are often encountered as crystalline solids or powders. Their primary utility lies in diverse industrial applications, notably as catalysts in organic synthesis, such as in Friedel-Crafts reactions, and as mordants in dyeing processes.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings is crucial for accurate classification. HTS 2827.31.00.00 covers magnesium chlorides, while HTS 2827.35.00.00 addresses nickel chlorides. The key differentiator here is the metallic element; this subheading exclusively classifies chlorides where aluminum is the constituent metal, in contrast to the magnesium or nickel chlorides classified under other subheadings at this same level. HTS 2827.39 covers a broader "Other" category for chlorides not specified elsewhere, making the aluminum identification paramount for this specific code.

As a leaf node, HTS 2827.32.00.00 represents the most specific classification for aluminum chlorides within this particular branch of the tariff schedule. Therefore, there are no further subcategories to introduce. Classification under this code relies directly on the presence of aluminum as the cation in the chloride compound, differentiating it from other metal chlorides and general chloride categories.