Magnesium Nitrate: Formula, Preparation, and Properties

Magnesium Nitrate Formula: Magnesium nitrate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula \({\text{Mg}}{\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}}\right)_2}.\) It is a white hygroscopic solid that, when exposed to air, transforms into its hexahydrate form, \({\text{Mg}}{\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right)_2}.6{{\text{H}}_2}{\text{O}}.\). Magnesium nitrate naturally occurs in the hexahydrate form called nitromagnesite. In this article, we have discussed everything about magnesium nitrate in detail.

Magnesium Nitrate: Chemical Formula

The chemical formula of magnesium nitrate is ({\text{Mg}}{\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right)_2}.) It contains magnesium (\left({{\text{M}}{{\text{g}}^{2 + }}} \right)) and nitrate (\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}^ – } \right)) ions. Since an ionic bond exists between magnesium and nitrate ions, it is considered an ionic compound. Magnesium nitrate can be represented as,

The molar mass of magnesium nitrate is \(148.3\,{\text{g}}/{\text{mol}}.\)

Magnesium Nitrate Chemical Formula Derivation

The chemical formula of a compound can be derived using the criss-cross method.

In the criss-cross method, we can derive its formula using the valencies of the constituent elements. The symbol of the positive part is generally written on the left side. On the other hand, the negative part is available on the right side. The valencies of the constituent elements are exchanged and written as subscripts. Signs of the charges are discarded. Subscript one is not often written.

With the help of this, the chemical formula of magnesium nitrate can be written as ({\text{Mg}}{\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right)_2}.)

Formula Explanation

Magnesium nitrate contains magnesium \(\left({{\text{M}}{{\text{g}}^{2 + }}} \right)\) and nitrate \(\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}^ – } \right)\) radicals. The valency of magnesium radical is two, and that of nitrate radical is one. By criss-crossing these valency numbers, the chemical formula of magnesium nitrate is \({\text{Mg}}{\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right)_2}.\) That is,

Preparation of Magnesium Nitrate

Magnesium nitrate can be prepared using the following methods:

1. By the Reaction between Magnesium Hydroxide and Nitric Acid

Magnesium nitrate is produced when magnesium hydroxide is reacted with nitric acid. The chemical equation for the reaction can be represented as follows:

\({\text{Mg}}{\left({{\text{OH}}} \right)_2} + 2{\text{HN}}{{\text{O}}_3} \to {\text{Mg}}{\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right)_2} + 2{{\text{H}}_2}{\text{O}}\)

2. By the Reaction between Magnesium Oxide and Nitric Acid

The reaction between magnesium oxide and nitric acid also produces magnesium nitrate and water. The chemical equation for the reaction can be represented as follows:

\({\text{MgO}} + 2{\text{HN}}{{\text{O}}_3} \to {\text{Mg}}{\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right)_2} + {{\text{H}}_2}{\text{O}}\)

3. By the Reaction between Magnesium Carbonate and Nitric Acid

Magnesium nitrate is produced when nitric acid is added to magnesium carbonate. The chemical equation for the reaction can be represented as follows:

\({\text{MgC}}{{\text{O}}_3} + 2{\text{HN}}{{\text{O}}_3} \to {\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_2}{\text{ + Mg}}{\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right)_2} + {{\text{H}}_2}{\text{O}}\)

4. By the Reaction between Magnesium and Dilute Nitric Acid

Magnesium reacts with very dilute nitric acid to form magnesium nitrate and hydrogen gas. The chemical equation for the reaction can be represented as follows:

Let us discuss the physical and chemical properties of magnesium nitrate.

Physical Properties of Magnesium Nitrate

1. Magnesium nitrate appears as a white crystalline solid.
2. It is readily soluble in water and moderately soluble in ethanol and ammonia.
3. It is hygroscopic in nature. That is, it has the tendency to absorb moisture from the air.
4. The melting point of magnesium nitrate is approximately equal to \(362\,{\text{K}}.\)
5. The density of magnesium nitrate is \(2.3\,{\text{g}}/{\text{c}}{{\text{m}}^3}.\)

Study Magnesium Carbonate Formula

Chemical Properties of Magnesium Nitrate

The chemical properties of magnesium nitrate are explained below:

1. Thermal Decomposition of Magnesium Nitrate

Magnesium nitrate, on heating, decomposes to release the oxides of nitrogen. That is,

\({\text{2Mg}}{\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right)_2} \to 2{\text{MgO}} + 4{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_2}{\text{ + }}{{\text{O}}_2}\)

2. Reactions of Magnesium Nitrate

The Reaction of Magnesium Nitrate with Sodium Carbonate

Magnesium nitrate reacts with sodium carbonate to form magnesium carbonate and sodium nitrate. The chemical equation for the reaction can be represented as follows:

\({\text{Mg}}{\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right)_2} + {\text{N}}{{\text{a}}_2}{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_3} \to {\text{MgC}}{{\text{O}}_3} + 2{\text{NaN}}{{\text{O}}_3}\)

The Reaction of Magnesium Nitrate with Sodium Hydroxide

Magnesium hydroxide and sodium nitrate are produced when magnesium nitrate is reacted with sodium hydroxide. The chemical equation for the reaction can be represented as follows:

\({\text{Mg}}{\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right)_2} + 2{\text{NaOH}} \to {\text{Mg}}{\left({{\text{OH}}} \right)_2} + 2{\text{NaN}}{{\text{O}}_3}\)

Generally, magnesium nitrate reacts with alkali metal hydroxides to form the corresponding nitrates.

The Reaction of Magnesium Nitrate with Sulphuric Acid

Magnesium nitrate reacts with sulphuric acid to form magnesium sulfate and nitric acid. The chemical equation for the reaction can be represented as follows:

\({{\text{H}}_2}{\text{S}}{{\text{O}}_4} +{\text{Mg}}{\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right)_2} \to {\text{MgS}}{{\text{O}}_4} + 2{\text{HN}}{{\text{O}}_3}\)

The Reaction of Magnesium Nitrate with Sodium Phosphate

Sodium nitrate and magnesium phosphate are formed when magnesium nitrate reacts with sodium phosphate. The chemical equation for the reaction can be represented as follows:

\({\rm{3Mg}}{\left( {{\rm{N}}{{\rm{O}}_3}} \right)_2} + 2{\rm{N}}{{\rm{a}}_3}{\rm{P}}{{\rm{O}}_4} \to {\rm{6NaN}}{{\rm{O}}_3}{\rm{ + M}}{{\rm{g}}_3}{\left( {{\rm{P}}{{\rm{O}}_4}} \right)_2}\)

Uses of Magnesium Nitrate

Magnesium nitrate has got several uses. They include:

1. Due to the hygroscopic nature, Magnesium nitrate is used as a desiccant.
2. In the preparation of nitric acid, it is used as a dehydrating agent.
3. It is used in fertilizers too.
4. Magnesium nitrate is used in hair conditioning products.
5. It is used in preservatives and antioxidants.
6. In the manufacture of petrochemicals and desensitizers, it is used as a catalyst.
7. In the purification of nitric acid, magnesium nitrate is used as an alternative to sulfuric acid.
8. Magnesium nitrate is used as a dehydrating agent, ink, toner, and colorant products.
9. Magnesium nitrate is used as a binding agent.
10. It is used as a filler for textiles, paints, and plastics.

Summary

We are now familiar with magnesium nitrate. It is an inorganic chemical compound with the chemical formula \({\text{Mg}}{\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right)_2}.\) It is a hygroscopic substance and appears as a white crystalline solid. Magnesium nitrate is considered as an ionic compound. It can be prepared by the action of nitric acid on any magnesium salts. The other physical and chemical properties and their several uses are explained in this article.

FAQs on Magnesium Nitrate Formula

You’ll find the frequently asked questions about the magnesium nitrate formula here.

Q. What is magnesium nitrate used for?

Ans: Magnesium nitrate has several uses. It is used as a desiccant, additive, filler, catalyst, used in fertilizers, cosmetics, etc.

Q. What is the formula of magnesium nitrate?

Ans: Magnesium nitrate is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula \({\text{Mg}}{\left({{\text{N}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right)_2}.\)

Q. Is magnesium nitrate safe?

Ans: Magnesium nitrate is an irritant. It is very harmful if inhaled or swallowed. It can even cause skin and eye irritation too.

Q. Will magnesium nitrate dissociate in water?

Ans: Yes, magnesium nitrate dissociates in water to form magnesium and nitrate ions. Magnesium ions produced in water exit as a hydrated ion, \({\left[{{\text{Mg}}{{\left({{\text{O}}{{\text{H}}_2}} \right)}_6}} \right]^{2 + }}.\)

Q. Is magnesium nitrate safe for skin?

Ans: No, magnesium nitrate is an irritant. Therefore, it can cause skin irritation and is not safe for the skin.

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