Step 1: Understand the behavior of anhydrous AlCl$_3$.
Anhydrous aluminum chloride (AlCl$_3$) is highly reactive and fume in moist air. It undergoes hydrolysis, where it reacts with water vapor in the air to form aluminum hydroxide and hydrochloric acid.
Step 2: Analyze the reactions.
- Oxidation: This involves the loss of electrons, which is not the case for anhydrous AlCl$_3$ in air.
- Hydrolysis: This is the correct reaction, where AlCl$_3$ reacts with water vapor to form Al(OH)$_3$ and HCl.
- Reduction: This involves the gain of electrons, but it is not the reaction for AlCl$_3$.
- Hydrogenation: This is the addition of hydrogen, which does not apply to AlCl$_3$.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (2), hydrolysis.