Abstract: A process is disclosed for collecting and purifying aluminum chloride from gases like those produced from the chlorination of bauxite, clay and other aluminous ores. The method comprises first dissolving the aluminum chloride at about atmospheric pressure in a molten salt solvent in which most of the other principal metal chloride vapors, like SiCl.sub.4 and TiCl.sub.4, are substantially insoluble; then vaporizing and separating the AlCl.sub.3 to produce a purified liquid product. This process eliminates the previous use of costly and/or hazardous compressors and scraped-wall condensers and provides for economical recovery of purified liquid aluminum chloride.