Magnesium nitrate

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Magnesium nitrate
Magnesium nitrate.png
Dusicnan horecnaty.JPG
Names
IUPAC name
Magnesium nitrate
Other names
Nitromagnesite (hexahydrate)
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.030.739 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
EC Number
  • 233-826-7
PubChem CID
RTECS number
  • OM3750000 (anhydrous)
    OM3756000 (hexahydrate)
UNII
UN number 1474
  • InChI=1S/Mg.2NO3/c;2*2-1(3)4/q+2;2*-1 X mark.svgN
    Key: YIXJRHPUWRPCBB-UHFFFAOYSA-N X mark.svgN
  • InChI=1/Mg.2NO3/c;2*2-1(3)4/q+2;2*-1
    Key: YIXJRHPUWRPCBB-UHFFFAOYAA
  • [N+](=O)([O-])[O-].[N+](=O)([O-])[O-].[Mg+2]
Properties
Mg(NO3)2
Molar mass 148.32 g/mol (anhydrous)
184.35 g/mol (dihydrate)
256.41 g/mol (hexahydr.)
AppearanceWhite crystalline solid
Density 2.3 g/cm3 (anhydrous)
2.0256 g/cm3 (dihydrate)
1.464 g/cm3 (hexahydrate)
Melting point 129 °C (264 °F; 402 K) (dihydrate)
88.9 °C (hexahydrate)
Boiling point 330 °C (626 °F; 603 K) decomposes
71 g/100 mL (25 °C) [1]
Solubility moderately soluble in ethanol, ammonia
1.34 (hexahydrate)
Structure
cubic
Thermochemistry
141.9 J/mol K
Std molar
entropy
(S298)
164 J/mol K
-790.7 kJ/mol
-589.4 kJ/mol
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Irritant
GHS labelling:
GHS-pictogram-rondflam.svg GHS-pictogram-exclam.svg
Warning
H272, H315, H319, H335
P210, P220, P221, P261, P264, P271, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P321, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362, P370+P378, P403+P233, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704.svgHealth 1: Exposure would cause irritation but only minor residual injury. E.g. turpentineFlammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazard OX: Oxidizer. E.g. potassium perchlorate
1
0
0
OX
Safety data sheet (SDS) External MSDS
Related compounds
Other anions
Magnesium sulfate
Magnesium chloride
Other cations
Beryllium nitrate
Calcium nitrate
Strontium nitrate
Barium nitrate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Magnesium nitrate refers to inorganic compounds with the formula Mg(NO3)2(H2O)x, where x = 6, 2, and 0. All are white solids. [2] The anhydrous material is hygroscopic, quickly forming the hexahydrate upon standing in air. All of the salts are very soluble in both water and ethanol.

Contents

Occurrence, preparation, structure

Being highly water-soluble, magnesium nitrate occurs naturally only in mines and caverns as nitromagnesite (hexahydrate form). [3]

The magnesium nitrate used in commerce is made by the reaction of nitric acid and various magnesium salts.

Structure of [Mg(H2O)6] in the dinitrate salt. 80445-ICSD.png
Structure of [Mg(H2O)6] in the dinitrate salt.

Use

The principal use is as a dehydrating agent in the preparation of concentrated nitric acid. [2]

Its fertilizer grade has 10.5% nitrogen and 9.4% magnesium, so it is listed as 10.5-0-0 + 9.4% Mg. Fertilizer blends containing magnesium nitrate also have ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate and micronutrients in most cases; these blends are used in the greenhouse and hydroponics trade.

Reactions

Magnesium nitrate reacts with alkali metal hydroxide to form the corresponding nitrate:

Mg(NO3)2 + 2 NaOH → Mg(OH)2 + 2 NaNO3.

Since magnesium nitrate has a high affinity for water, heating the hexahydrate does not result in the dehydration of the salt, but rather its decomposition into magnesium oxide, oxygen, and nitrogen oxides:

2 Mg(NO3)2 → 2 MgO + 4 NO2 + O2.

The absorption of these nitrogen oxides in water is one possible route to synthesize nitric acid. Although inefficient, this method does not require the use of any strong acid.

It is also occasionally used as a desiccant.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nitrate</span> Polyatomic ion (NO₃, charge –1) found in explosives and fertilisers

Nitrate is a polyatomic ion with the chemical formula NO
3
. Salts containing this ion are called nitrates. Nitrates are common components of fertilizers and explosives. Almost all inorganic nitrates are soluble in water. An example of an insoluble nitrate is bismuth oxynitrate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nitric acid</span> Highly corrosive mineral acid

Nitric acid is the inorganic compound with the formula HNO3. It is a highly corrosive mineral acid. The compound is colorless, but samples tend to acquire a yellow cast over time due to decomposition into oxides of nitrogen. Most commercially available nitric acid has a concentration of 68% in water. When the solution contains more than 86% HNO3, it is referred to as fuming nitric acid. Depending on the amount of nitrogen dioxide present, fuming nitric acid is further characterized as red fuming nitric acid at concentrations above 86%, or white fuming nitric acid at concentrations above 95%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ammonium nitrate</span> Chemical compound with formula NH4NO3

Ammonium nitrate is a chemical compound with the formula NH4NO3. It is a white crystalline salt consisting of ions of ammonium and nitrate. It is highly soluble in water and hygroscopic as a solid, although it does not form hydrates. It is predominantly used in agriculture as a high-nitrogen fertilizer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver nitrate</span> Chemical compound

Silver nitrate is an inorganic compound with chemical formula AgNO
3
. It is a versatile precursor to many other silver compounds, such as those used in photography. It is far less sensitive to light than the halides. It was once called lunar caustic because silver was called luna by ancient alchemists who associated silver with the moon. In solid silver nitrate, the silver ions are three-coordinated in a trigonal planar arrangement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lead(II) nitrate</span> Chemical compound

Lead(II) nitrate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Pb(NO3)2. It commonly occurs as a colourless crystal or white powder and, unlike most other lead(II) salts, is soluble in water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Copper(II) nitrate</span> Chemical compound

Copper(II) nitrate describes any member of the family of inorganic compounds with the formula Cu(NO3)2(H2O)x. The hydrates are blue solids. Anhydrous copper nitrate forms blue-green crystals and sublimes in a vacuum at 150-200 °C. Common hydrates are the hemipentahydrate and trihydrate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dinitrogen pentoxide</span> Chemical compound

Dinitrogen pentoxide is the chemical compound with the formula N2O5. It is one of the binary nitrogen oxides, a family of compounds that only contain nitrogen and oxygen. It exists as colourless crystals that sublime slightly above room temperature, yielding a colorless gas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barium nitrate</span> Chemical compound

Barium nitrate is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula Ba(NO3)2. It, like most barium salts, is colorless, toxic, and water-soluble. It burns with a green flame and is an oxidizer; the compound is commonly used in pyrotechnics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uranyl nitrate</span> Chemical compound

Uranyl nitrate is a water-soluble yellow uranium salt with the formula UO2(NO3)2 · n H2O. The hexa-, tri-, and dihydrates are known. The compound is mainly of interest because it is an intermediate in the preparation of nuclear fuels.

In atmospheric chemistry, NOx is shorthand for nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, the nitrogen oxides that are most relevant for air pollution. These gases contribute to the formation of smog and acid rain, as well as affecting tropospheric ozone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nitratine</span> Mineral form of sodium nitrate

Nitratine or nitratite, also known as cubic niter (UK: nitre), soda niter or Chile saltpeter (UK: Chile saltpetre), is a mineral, the naturally occurring form of sodium nitrate, NaNO3. Chemically it is the sodium analogue of saltpeter. Nitratine crystallizes in the trigonal system, but rarely occurs as well formed crystals. It is isostructural with calcite. It is relatively soft and light with a Mohs hardness of 1.5 to 2 and a specific gravity of 2.24 to 2.29. Its refractive indices are nω = 1.587 and nε = 1.336.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zinc nitrate</span> Chemical compound

Zinc nitrate is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula Zn(NO3)2. This colorless, crystalline salt is highly deliquescent. It is typically encountered as a hexahydrate Zn(NO3)2·6H2O. It is soluble in both water and alcohol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iron(III) nitrate</span> Chemical compound

Iron(III) nitrate, or ferric nitrate, is the name used for a series of inorganic compounds with the formula Fe(NO3)3.(H2O)n. Most common is the nonahydrate Fe(NO3)3.(H2O)9. The hydrates are all pale colored, water-soluble paramagnetic salts.

The chemical element nitrogen is one of the most abundant elements in the universe and can form many compounds. It can take several oxidation states; but the most common oxidation states are -3 and +3. Nitrogen can form nitride and nitrate ions. It also forms a part of nitric acid and nitrate salts. Nitrogen compounds also have an important role in organic chemistry, as nitrogen is part of proteins, amino acids and adenosine triphosphate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cadmium hydroxide</span> Chemical compound

Cadmium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula Cd(OH)2. It is a white crystalline ionic compound that is a key component of nickel–cadmium battery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bismuth(III) nitrate</span> Chemical compound

Bismuth(III) nitrate is a salt composed of bismuth in its cationic +3 oxidation state and nitrate anions. The most common solid form is the pentahydrate. It is used in the synthesis of other bismuth compounds. It is available commercially. It is the only nitrate salt formed by a group 15 element, indicative of bismuth's metallic nature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cerium nitrates</span> Chemical compound

Cerium nitrate refers to a family of nitrates of cerium in the +3 or +4 oxidation state. Often these compounds contain water, hydroxide, or hydronium ions in addition to cerium and nitrate. Double nitrates of cerium also exist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thorium(IV) nitrate</span> Chemical compound

Thorium(IV) nitrate is a chemical compound, a salt of thorium and nitric acid with the formula Th(NO3)4. A white solid in its anhydrous form, it can form tetra- and pentahydrates. As a salt of thorium it is weakly radioactive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iron(II) nitrate</span> Chemical compound

Iron(II) nitrate is the nitrate salt of iron(II). It is commonly encountered as the green hexahydrate, Fe(NO3)2·6H2O, which is a metal aquo complex, however it is not commercially available unlike iron(III) nitrate due to its instability to air. The salt is soluble in water serves as a ready source of ferrous ions.

Cobalt compounds are chemical compounds formed by cobalt with other elements.

References

  1. Lide, David R., ed. (2006). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (87th ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. ISBN   0-8493-0487-3.
  2. 1 2 Thiemann, Michael; Scheibler, Erich; Wiegand, Karl Wilhelm (2005). "Nitric Acid, Nitrous Acid, and Nitrogen Oxides". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a17_293. ISBN   3-527-30673-0.
  3. Mindat, http://www.mindat.org/min-2920.html
  4. Schefer, J.; Grube, M. (1995). "Low temperature structure of magnesium nitrate hexahydrate, Mg (N O3)2 . 6(H2 O): a neutron diffraction study at 173 K". Materials Research Bulletin. 30: 1235–1241. doi:10.1016/0025-5408(95)00122-0.