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Magnesium Chloride

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Identification
Molecular formula

MgCl2

CAS number
7786-30-3
Classification
Salt
Solubility details
Comment on solubility

Magnesium Cloride is highly soluble in water. In water it dissociates to ions: a cation of magnesium (Mg2+) and two anions of cloride (Cl-).

Solubility formula

MgCl2 solubility Mg2+ + 2Cl-

Solubility in water
54.20g/L
Molar solubility
0.23
Ksp
738.00
State
State

solid

Melting point (Celsius)
714.00
Melting point (Kelvin)
987.00
Boiling point (Celsius)
1 412.00
Boiling point (Kelvin)
1 685.00
General information
Appearence

white or colourless crystalline solid

Molar mass
95.2110g/mol
Density
2.3800g/cm3

The main application of magnesium chloride is production of magnesium metal. This is done by the precipitation process for which the formula is given in the common reactions section. Magnesium chloride is also used for a variety of other applications like the manufacture of textiles, paper, fireproofing agents, cements and refrigeration brine, and dust and erosion control. Also, presence of magnesium chloride in water decreases its freezing point making magnesium chloride a perfect anti-icer.

Another use of magnesium chloride is in the food industry - it is used as a coagulant in the preparation of tofu from soy milk.

Common reactions

Precipitation

MgCl2(aq) + Ca(OH)2(aq) solubility Mg(OH)2(s) + CaCl2(aq)