Mg(NO3)2 is an inorganic nitrate salt of magnesium with a chemical name Magnesium nitrate.
Magnesium nitrate is also called Magnesium dinitrate or Magniosan or Nitromagnesite (hexahydrate). It is widely used in pyrotechnics.
Magnesium dinitrate is a hygroscopic, crystalline solid white. It is highly soluble in water as well as ethanol and occurs naturally in caverns and mines.
Properties of Magnesium nitrate – Mg(NO3)2
| Mg(NO3)2 | Magnesium nitrate |
| Molecular weight of Mg(NO3)2 | 148.32 g/mol (anhydrous) |
| Density of Magnesium nitrate | 2.3 g/cm3 (anhydrous) |
| Melting point of Magnesium nitrate | 129 °C |
| Boiling point of Magnesium nitrate | 330 °C |
Magnesium nitrate Structure – Mg(NO3)2
Magnesium nitrate Structure – Mg(NO3)2
Mg(NO3)2 Uses (Magnesium nitrate)
- Magnesium nitrate is used as a dehydrating agent to prepare concentrated nitric acid.
- Used in the manufacturing of petrochemicals.
- Used as a desensitizer for lithographic plates.
- Used to manufacture ammonium nitrate.
- Used in the purification of nitric acid.
- Used in industries as a viscosity adjuster.
- Used in the manufacturing of agricultural products.
- Used in the making of toner, and colourant products.
- Used in the process is mining.
Magnesium nitrate Reactions
Magnesium dinitrate reacts with alkali metal hydroxide to produce the following:
Mg(NO3)2 + 2 NaOH → Mg(OH)2 + 2 NaNO3
Magnesium nitrate has a high affinity towards water. Therefore, heating it results to decompose into magnesium oxide, nitrogen oxides, and oxygen.
2 Mg(NO3)2 → 2 MgO + 4 NO2 + O2.
Health Hazards
Exposure to Magniosan causes mild irritation in the mucous membranes. Symptoms include shortness of breath and coughing. Swallowing large doses may result in dizziness, vomiting, weakness, and collapse. abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea, and convulsions. When comes in contact with skin causes redness, pain, and irritation.
On heating this compound to decompose it emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides. Contact with oxidizable compound may result in extremely violent combustion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is magnesium nitrate used for?
Often used in pyrotechnics is magnesium nitrate; and in the manufacture of concentrated nitric acid where it extracts water and concentrates the acid vapours to 90–95 percent HNO3. It is also used to help in the processing of ammonium nitrate for coating and prilling.
Is magnesium nitrate acid or base?
Magnesium nitrate is a crystalline source with high water solubility for use consistent with nitrates and lower (acidic) pH. Nitrate compounds are usually soluble in water. Even the nitrate products are oxidizing agents. The nitrate compounds can form a flammable mixture when combined with hydrocarbons.
What type of compound is magnesium nitrate?
Magnesium Nitrate is an ionic compound formed by cation Magnesium Mg2+, and polyatomic anion Nitrate NO3–. The charges must be equal and the opposite in order for these two ions to bind. Therefore, the one + 2 magnesium ion would require two -1 nitrate ions to balance.
What metal will react with magnesium nitrate?
Zinc, copper, and lead do not react with magnesium nitrate because in the activity sequence magnesium is higher, because it is more reactive than other metals. Therefore, none of zinc, copper, or lead will displace magnesium ions from solution, so that there will be no reaction.
How many atoms does magnesium nitrate?
Magnesium nitrate compound contains one atom of magnesium, two atoms of nitrogen, and six atoms of oxygen.