The use of solution activators (dissolved metal salts) to enhance aluminum electrochemical activity in organic media is reported. Aluminum is electrochemically passive in most organic electrolytes and unlike lithium, has not been developed as a battery anode in organic media. We demonstrate significant Al activity in two electrolytes, AlCl3 in gamma-butyrolactone or (C2H5)(4)NCl in acetonitrile. These improve the anodic potential by up to 1 V in comparison to other electrolytes and increase from microampere to milliampere per square centimeter, the sustainable Al oxidation current. Electrolytic metal acetate, chloride, or other salts can further enhance these favorable anodic characteristics. Unlike Sn(II), Sn(IV), or Ga(III), both Hg(II) and In(III) significantly activate Al redox behavior. In 1 M AlCl3/gamma-butyrolactone, the Al oxidative polarization is 100,65. 36, or only 28 Ohm cm(2) in electrolytes containing, respectively, 0, 1: 10, 100 mM Hg(II). Hg(II) also shifts negatively the observed E(Al)degrees by 150 to 250 mV, an enhancement sustained during extended anodic galvanostatic discharge. Similarly, as little as 1 mM In(III) diminishes polarization to 1 0 Ohm cm(2) Addition of 10 mM In(II) to 0.3 M (C2H5)(4)NCl in acetonitrile, improves E(Al)degrees by 0.4 to -157 V vs. I-3-/I.