Magnesium Carbonate Formula: Definition, Preparation, Properties, Uses

Magnesium Carbonate Formula: Magnesium carbonate is a white, odourless inorganic salt having a variety of industrial applications. MgCO3 is the magnesium carbonate formula. It is slightly alkaline rather than acidic. The anhydrous salt known as magnesite is the most prevalent magnesium carbonate form.

Magnesite is made up of white trigonal crystals. Mining the mineral magnesite is a typical method of obtaining magnesium carbonate. China mines and prepares 70% of the world’s supply. Let us discover more about the magnesium carbonate chemical formula, chemical structure, and general qualities in this brief essay.

Magnesium Carbonate \(\left( {{\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{3}}}} \right).\)

Magnesium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula \({\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{3}}}.\) It is a salt that contains magnesium \(\left( {{\rm{M}}{{\rm{g}}^{2 + }}} \right)\) and carbonate \(\left( {{\rm{CO}}_3^{2 – }} \right)\) ions. Therefore, it is considered as an ionic compound. Magnesium carbonate can be represented as,

The molar mass of magnesium carbonate is \(84.3139\;{\rm{g}}/{\rm{mol}}\).

Magnesium Carbonate Chemical Formula Derivation

Now we will derive the Magnesium Carbonate Formula using the Criss-Cross method:

In the criss-cross method, if we know the valency of each element of a compound, we can easily write its formula. The symbol of the positive part is written to the left hand side and the symbol of the negative part to its right. The valency of each element is placed as a subscript on the side of the symbol of another element. Subscript \(1\) is not often written. 

Using this, the chemical formula of magnesium carbonate can be found as,

Magnesium carbonate contains magnesium \(\left( {{\rm{M}}{{\rm{g}}^{2 + }}} \right)\) and carbonate \(\left( {{\rm{CO}}_3^{2 – }} \right)\) radicals.  The valency of magnesium radical is two and that of carbonate radical is also two. By criss-crossing these valency numbers, the chemical formula of magnesium carbonate is \({\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_3}\). That is,

Preparation of Magnesium Carbonate

Magnesium carbonate \(\left( {{\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_3}} \right)\) can be prepared using the following methods:

1. Magnesium carbonate can be naturally obtained by mining magnesite mineral

2. By the Reaction between Magnesium Chloride and Sodium Bicarbonate

When magnesium chloride is reacted with sodium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, sodium chloride, water and carbon dioxide are formed.  The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{l}}_2}({\rm{aq}}) + 2{\rm{NaHC}}{{\rm{O}}_3}({\rm{aq}}) \to {\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_3}({\rm{s}}) + 2{\rm{NaCl}}({\rm{aq}}) + {{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}}({\rm{l}}) + {\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_2}({\rm{g}})\)

Any other salts of magnesium can be reacted with sodium bicarbonate to produce magnesium carbonate.

If sodium carbonate is used in the place of sodium bicarbonate, rather than magnesium carbonate, a hydrated complex of magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide will be formed. That is,

\({\rm{5MgC}}{{\rm{l}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( {{\rm{aq}}} \right){\rm{ + 5N}}{{\rm{a}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{3}}}\left( {{\rm{aq}}} \right){\rm{ + 5}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}\left( {\rm{l}} \right) \to {\rm{Mg}}{\left( {{\rm{OH}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}} \cdot {\rm{3MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{3}}} \cdot {\rm{3}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}
{\rm{O}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ + Mg}}{\left( {{\rm{HC}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{3}}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}\left( {{\rm{aq}}} \right){\rm{ + 10NaCl}}\left( {{\rm{aq}}} \right)\)

3. By the Combination of Magnesium Hydroxide and Carbon Dioxide

When a slurry of magnesium hydroxide and carbon dioxide are combined at a moderate temperature and high pressure, magnesium bicarbonate is formed which can be converted into magnesium carbonate by vacuum drying. The chemical equations for the reactions can be given as,

\({\rm{Mg}}{({\rm{OH}})_2} + 2{\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_2} \to {\rm{Mg}}{\left( {{\rm{HC}}{{\rm{O}}_3}} \right)_2}\)\({\rm{Mg}}{\left( {{\rm{HC}}{{\rm{O}}_3}} \right)_2} \to {\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_3} + {\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_2} + {{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}}\)

Properties of Magnesium Carbonate

Let us discuss the physical and chemical properties of magnesium carbonate \(\left( {{\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_3}} \right)\).

Physical Properties of Magnesium Carbonate

1. Magnesium carbonate appears as a white solid. It is odourless too.
2. Magnesium carbonate is hygroscopic in nature. That is, it has the tendency to absorb moisture from the surrounding atmosphere.
3. Magnesium carbonate is practically insoluble in water. But it is soluble in acids and aqueous carbon dioxide. It is insoluble in ammonia and acetone too.
4. The melting point of magnesium carbonate is \(1263\;{\rm{K}}\).

Chemical Properties of Magnesium Carbonate

The chemical properties of Magnesium Carbonate are explained below:

1. Decomposition of Magnesium Carbonate

Magnesium carbonate decomposes at higher temperatures to give magnesium oxide and carbon dioxide. The decomposition temperature is above \(350\,^\circ {\rm{C}}\). The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_3} \to {\rm{MgO}} + {\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_2}(\Delta {\rm{H}} = + 118\;{\rm{kJ}}/{\rm{mol}})\)

The above process is an important process used for the preparation of magnesium oxide. This process is also called calcining.

2. Reaction of Magnesium Carbonate with Acids

Magnesium carbonate reacts with dilute acids to form the respective salts along with the release of water and carbon dioxide.

For example, magnesium carbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid to form magnesium chloride, carbon dioxide and water. That is,

\({\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_3} + 2{\rm{HCl}} \to {\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{l}}_2} + {\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_2} + {{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}}\)

Similarly, magnesium carbonate reacts with sulphuric acid to form magnesium sulphate, carbon dioxide and water. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_3} + {{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{S}}{{\rm{O}}_4} \to {\rm{MgS}}{{\rm{O}}_4} + {\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_2} + {{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}}\)

Magnesium carbonate reacts with phosphoric acid to form magnesium phosphate, carbon dioxide and water. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_3} + {{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{P}}{{\rm{O}}_4} \to {\rm{M}}{{\rm{g}}_3}{\left( {{\rm{P}}{{\rm{O}}_4}} \right)_2} + {{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}} + {\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_2}\)

Magnesium carbonate is generally non-toxic in nature.

Uses of Magnesium Carbonate

Magnesium carbonate \(\left( {{\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_3}} \right)\) has got many uses. They include:

1. Magnesium carbonate is used for the preparation of magnesium oxide by the process of calcining.
2. Magnesite is used in the production of refractory bricks.
3. Magnesium carbonate is used in flooring, cosmetics, fire extinguishing compositions, dusting powder and toothpaste.
4. It is used as a filler material.
5. Magnesium carbonate can be used as a smoke suppressant in plastics.
6. In neoprene rubber, magnesium carbonate is used as a reinforcing agent.
7. It is also used as a laxative (a substance used for loosening bowels).
8. Magnesium carbonate is used as a food additive. It is approved by the FDA as safe.
9. In taxidermy, magnesium carbonate is used for whitening skulls.
10. It can be used to make white matte coating for projector screens.
11. High purity magnesium carbonate is majorly used as an antacid. It can also be used as an additive in table salt.
12. It can also be used as a mineral supplement that is used to prevent the lack of magnesium in the blood.

Summary

Magnesium carbonate is an alkaline earth metal carbonate with the chemical formula \({\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_3}\). It can also be called magnesite. It exists in several mineral forms such as magnesite (anhydrous \({\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_3}\)), barringtonite, nesquehonite, lansfordite, etc. Magnesium carbonate can be naturally extracted by mining magnesite. Other production methods, the physical and chemical properties and its several uses are explained in this article.

FAQs on Magnesium Carbonate

Q.1. What is the formula of magnesium carbonate?
Ans: The chemical formula of magnesium carbonate is \({\rm{MgC}}{{\rm{O}}_3}\). It is an alkaline earth metal carbonate.

Q.2. What is magnesium carbonate used for?
Ans: Magnesium carbonate has got several uses. It is used for the preparation of magnesium oxide by the process of calcining, used in the production of refractory bricks, used in flooring, cosmetics, fire extinguishing compositions, dusting powder, toothpaste, filler material, etc.

Q.3. Is magnesium carbonate good for health?
Ans: Magnesium carbonate is a non-toxic substance. Therefore, in permitted amounts, it is good for health.

Q.4. Is magnesium carbonate good for sleep?
Ans: Yes, intake of magnesium carbonate in permitted amounts have proved that, it helped adults to sleep better overall.

Q.5. Can you take magnesium carbonate daily?
Ans: Magnesium carbonate can be used daily only in prescribed amounts. A healthy adult can consume \(310\) to \(320\,{\rm{mg}}\) daily. However, the dosage is based on one’s medical condition and response to treatment.

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