Magnesium Chloride Formula

Magnesium Chloride or Magnesium Dichloride or Chloromagnesite is a chemical compound with the molecular formula MgCl₂_. Magnesium Chloride is an ionic salt that is highly soluble in water. This inorganic compound generally consists of one magnesium ion (Mg⁺²) and two chloride ions (Cl^–). Magnesium chloride crystals can be either hydrated or anhydrous. The magnesium chloride salt can be obtained from the seawater or brine solution. An essential mineral for humans, magnesium chloride is an inorganic compound that occurs naturally and has a wide range of uses in industry and medicine.

Chemical Formula of Magnesium Chloride

Magnesium has a tendency to lose two electrons during the reaction between it and chlorine. It has a charge of +2. Chlorine has a charge of -1 while being ready to accept one electron. To complete magnesium’s octate, however, two chlorine atoms are required to remove two of its electrons. The total charge is then reduced to zero. Consequently, MgCl₂ is used as the chemical formula for magnesium chloride.

Structure of Magnesium Chloride

MgCl₂ crystallizes cadmium chloride which has an octahedral Mg atom at the center. It is formed by the formation of an ionic bond between an Mg⁺² ion and two Cl^-1 ions. The structure is bent in shape due to the presence of lone pairs of magnesium which decrease the angle from a perfect 180 degrees. A lot of forms of hydrated Magnesium Chloride are presently based on the water of crystallization present in the molecule.

Below represented the structure of Magnesium Chloride:

Here is the lewis-dot structure of Magnesium Chloride:

Formation of Magnesium Chloride

Magnesium has an atomic number of 12. Its outermost shell so contains two electrons. However, Chlorine has an atomic number of 17. Therefore, it has seven electrons in its valence shell. During the formation of inorganic salt Magnesium Chloride, the Magnesium atom gives two Chlorine atoms, its two outermost electrons to create magnesium chloride (one electron each). As a result, the magnesium ion and chloride are then formed with an ionic or electrovalent bond.

This electron-sharing during the formation of Magnesium Chloride can be shown below:

Preparation of Magnesium Chloride

Magnesium Chloride (MgCl₂) is a naturally occurring inorganic compound, which can be prepared by various methods as mentioned below:

When Magnesium (Mg) reacts with Hydrochloric Acid (HCl), produces MgCl₂ with Hydrogen gas as:

Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂

Magnesium Chloride is mostly formed when Magnesium carbonate reacts with HCl, along with carbon dioxide and water as,

MgCO₃ + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + CO₂ + H₂O

Magnesium Chloride is mostly formed by the Dow process. It is a white power or small crystals and is pretty stable at normal pressure and temperature.

Mg⁺² + Ca(OH)₂ → Mg(OH)₂ + Ca⁺²

Mg(OH)₂ + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂O

One of the methods to prepare magnesium chloride in its anhydrous is by the chemical reaction between magnesium and mercury (II) chloride as,

Mg + HgCl₂ → MgCl₂ + Hg

Properties of Magnesium Chloride

Here in this section, various physical and chemical properties of Magnesium Chloride are discussed as,

Physical Properties of Magnesium Chloride

It is a white or colorless crystalline solid in nature.
It is odorless in nature.
The molecular weight of magnesium Chloride is 95 g/mol.
The density of magnesium Chloride is 2.32 g/cm³ (anhydrous).
The melting and boiling point of MgCl₂ are 714 °C and 1412 °C respectively.
It is highly soluble in water or any other polar solvent and partially soluble in non-polar solvents.

Chemical Properties of Magnesium Chloride

On heating, the water of crystallization is lost gradually and this causes a loss in molecular weight.
It is prepared by a reaction of magnesium hydroxide with hydrochloric acid.

Mg(OH)₂ + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂O

It disintegrates as Mg and Cl₂ when it acts as a precursor.
Magnesium Chloride disintegrates into magnesium and chloride ions when added to water.

MgCl₂ + H₂O → Mg⁺² (aq.) + 2Cl^-1(aq.)

Magnesium Chloride reacts with a base to form magnesium hydroxide and a salt

Mg(Cl)₂ + 2NaOH → Mg(OH)₂ + 2NaCl

Applications of Magnesium Chloride

Magnesium Chloride is used as a compound that participates in a chemical reaction that produces another compound and produces magnesium metal.
Magnesium Chloride is used in fire extinguishers as magnesium chloride catalyzes low-temperature charring which forms an inert non-reactive layer of magnesium oxide and a few other compounds and hence reducing the availability of flammable components.
It is used as a food additive as it is an important coagulant and is used in the preparation of tofu, soy, and many food products.
It is sometimes used as a catalyst in some chemical reactions.
Used in the manufacturing of disinfectants and as a thread lubricant.

FAQs on Magnesium Chloride

Question 1: Write the Chemical Formula of Magnesium Chloride.

Answer:

The chemical formula of Magnesium Chloride is MgCl₂.

Question 2: What are the Uses of Magnesium Chloride?

Answer:

It is used as a food additive as it is an important coagulant and is used in the preparation of tofu, soy, and many food products. It is sometimes used as a catalyst in some chemical reactions. Used in the manufacturing of disinfectants and as a thread lubricant. Magnesium Chloride is used as a precursor magnesium metal.

Question 3: List out some Forms of Magnesium Chloride.

Answer:

Magnesium Chloride exists in both good and bad forms. The good forms of Magnesium Chloride are Magnesium citrate, Magnesium palate, Magnesium chloride and Magnesium carbonate. While, some bad forms are Magnesium oxide and Magnesium sulfate.

Question 4: Are there any health benefits of Magnesium Chloride? What are they?

Answer: