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General Description

Magnesium chloride,MgCI2,also known as chloromagnesite, is a colorless crystalline solid. It is soluble in water and alcohol and is used in the ceramic and textile industries. Magnesium chloride is formed by heating hydrated magnesium chloride crystals in a current of dry hydrogen chloride or by heating magnesium ammonium chloride. Hydrated magnesium chloride, MgCI2·6H20 , also known as bischophite,is a white deliquescent solid formed by the reaction of magnesium carbonate(or hydroxide,oxide or metal)and hydrogen chloride. It is used in disinfectants, fire extinguishers, and paper manufacture. magnesium chloride flakes

Definition

magnesium chloride: A white solid compound, MgCl2. The anhydrous salt (hexagonal; r.d. 2.32; m.p.714°C; b.p. 1412°C) can be prepared by the direct combination of dry chlorine with magnesium: Mg(s) + Cl2(g) → MgCl2(s) The compound also occurs naturally as a constituent of carnallite(KCl.MgCl2). It is a deliquescent compound that commonly forms the hexahydrate, MgCl2.6H2O (monoclinic;r.d. 1.57). When heated, this hydrolyses to give magnesium oxide and hydrogen chloride gas. The fused chloride is electrolysed to produce magnesium and it is also used for fireproofing wood, in magnesia cements and artificial leather, and as a laxative.

Preparation

In the “Dow Process” (which is the electrolytic method of extracting bromine from brine), magnesium chloride is regenerated from magnesium hydroxide by hydrochloric acid: Mg(OH)2(s)＋2HCl→MgCl2(aq)＋2H2O It can also be prepared from MgCO3 by a similar reaction. Magnesium chloride is ionic and so will undergo electrolysis when it is molten. Electricity is carried by the movement of the ions within the melt and their discharge at the electrodes. However, solid magnesium chloride is a nonconductor of electricity because the ions are immobile.

Hazard

Toxic by ingestion.

Flammability and Explosibility

Nonflammable