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Magnesium Bromide Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

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Magnesium (Mg), is a chemical element, one of the  Group 2 (IIa) alkaline earth metals of the Periodic Table, atomic number 12, and the lightest structural metal. Its compounds are widely used in construction and medicine, and magnesium is one of the vital elements of all cells.

Bromine is a group 17 (Group VIIA) element and its atomic number is 35 Its chemical symbol is Bromine (Br), it is a crimson toxic liquid and a halogen element.

Magnesium bromide is a combination of bromine and magnesium. The chemical formula of magnesium bromide is MgBr2. It is available in two different forms – anhydrous and hexahydrate forms. Magnesium bromide appears as white hygroscopic crystals in the anhydrous form and as colorless monoclinic crystals in the hexahydrate form. 

Structure of Magnesium bromide

Magnesium is metal and bromine is non-metal, and the combination of the two produces an ionic compound called magnesium bromide. Always keep in mind that pure magnesium only reacts properly with pure bromine to form magnesium bromide.

 

Preparation Of Magnesium Bromide

  • In the reaction of Magnesium and Bromine, when magnesium reacts with bromine, magnesium bromide is formed. The reaction is given as,

Mg  +  Br2      ⇢     MgBr2

  • In the reaction of magnesium oxide and hydrogen bromide acid, when magnesium oxide reacts with hydrogen bromide it yields magnesium bromide and water as a product. The reaction is given as,

MgO + HBr     ⇢    MgBr2 + H2O

  • The reaction of magnesium carbonate and hydrogen bromide acid when magnesium carbonate reacts with hydrogen bromide it yields magnesium bromide, carbon dioxide, and water as products. The reaction is given as,

MgCO3 + HBr     ⇢     MgBr2 + CO2 + H2O

Physical Properties of Magnesium Bromide

  • Molecular and chemical formula – MgBr2
  • Molecular weight  -184.113 g/mol (anhydrous)
  • Colour – White
  • Density – 3.72 g/cm3 (anhydrous). 
  • Melting point – 711 °C
  • Boiling point – 1250 °C.

Chemical Properties of Magnesium Bromide

  • When magnesium bromide reacts with chlorine, magnesium chloride and bromine are produced as products.

MgBr2   + Cl2   ⇢  MgCl2   + 2Br

  • When Sodium hydroxide reacts with magnesium bromide, magnesium hydroxide and sodium bromide are produced as products.

2NaOH + MgBr2     ⇢   Mg(OH)2  +  2NaBr

  • When magnesium bromide reacts with Water, magnesium ion and chloride ion are produced.

MgBr2   +  H2O   ⇢   Mg2+   +   Br

Uses of Magnesium Bromide

  • Used as a sedative.
  • Used as a catalyst.
  • Used for position-specific analysis of Triglycerols.
  • Widely used as an anticonvulsant for the treatment of neuropathy.  
  • It is used as a mild sedative.
  • Used as a flame retardant.

Sample Questions

Question 1: Do you advise if magnesium bromide is safe?  

Answer: 

Only available to those who handle chemicals on a regular basis. The combination of magnesium bromide and other ingredients can result in solid particles of other compounds. However, it can cause acute health hazards such as digestive problems, skin irritation, and serious eye problems. Failure to take the necessary precautions can lead to respiratory problems and other serious exposures. Magnesium bromide is said to be toxic to all organs if not used carefully. Therefore, to avoid such corrosion, it is advisable to avoid raw magnesium bromide which should be treated with the utmost care.

Question 2: Do you specify whether magnesium bromide is an electrolyte? 

Answer:

Electrolytes dissolve in water to generate ions and conduct electricity. Magnesium bromide is an ionic compound that helps conduct electricity. It melts. When in the water, it breaks into pieces and produces ions. Therefore, magnesium bromide is an electrolyte because metallic magnesium and non-metallic magnesium dissolve in water and have high dissolving power. This solution is very good at generating electricity because the dissociation works well in water.

Question 3: What is the use of magnesium bromide in medicine?   

Answer:

MgBr2 is used in medicine  as follows:

  • Magnesium bromide is a powerful catalyst that can be used as a powerful sedative for pharmaceuticals.  
  • Used to treat a variety of neurological disorders and is used at moderate levels in almost all medicines. 
  •  Its water solubility is 102g / 100ml, which is more efficient than any other compound.  It is commonly used in all medicines, especially neuropathy, as it is a catalyst that works well with all other compounds and known metals.

Question 4: Where is Magnesium Bromide found?  

Answer:

Magnesium bromide is found in seawater, surface and underground salt water, and salt deposits. This is the electrolyte component of certain batteries. In medicine, it is a sedative and anticonvulsant used to treat neuropathy. It is also used in organic synthesis to form multiple additional compounds.  

Question 5: List the solubility of magnesium bromide in water in two different forms. 

Answer:

In the anhydrous form, magnesium bromide can be mixed with water at 102 g / 100 ml. In the form of hexahydrate, magnesium bromide can be mixed with water at 316 g / 100 ml. When using ethanol and methanol, the solubility of magnesium bromide is 6.9 g / 100 ml and the solubility in methanol is 21.8 g / 100 ml.

Question 6: Does MgBr2 have a covalent bond?

Answer:

The covalent bond property is related to the polarizability of the ionic compound. MgBr2 is more covalent than NaBr. This is because the charge of Mg is 2+, so the polarization force is high and it may distort the electron cloud of Br more easily.



Last Updated : 19 Dec, 2023
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