Magnesium nitrate
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2008-06-16T17:06:42Z
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robot Adding: [[it:Nitrato di magnesio]]
{{Chembox new
| Name = Magnesium nitrate
| ImageFile = Magnesium nitrate.png
| ImageSize = 200px
| ImageName = Magnesium nitrate
| IUPACName = Magnesium nitrate
| OtherNames = nitromagnesite
| Section1 = {{Chembox Identifiers
| CASOther = 10377-60-3 (anhydrous),<br /> 13446-18-9 (hexahydrate)
| RTECS = OM3750000 (anhydrous),<br /> OM3756000 (hexahydrate)
}}
| Section2 = {{Chembox Properties
| Formula = [[Magnesium|Mg]][[Nitrate|(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>]]
| MolarMass = 148.30 g/mol<br /> 256.30 (Mg(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub><sup>.</sup>6(H<sub>2</sub>O),
| Appearance = White crystalline solid
| Density = 1.46 g/cm<sup>3</sup>, solid
| Solubility = 125 g/100 mL
| MeltingPt = 89 °C (362 K)
| BoilingPt = none,<br /> decomposes at 330 °C (603 K)
}}
| Section7 = {{Chembox Hazards
| ExternalMSDS = [http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/m0169.htm External MSDS]
| MainHazards = Eye & Skin Irritant
| NFPA-H = 2
| NFPA-F =
| NFPA-R = 3
| FlashPt = Non-flammable
| RPhrases = {{R8}} {{R36}}
| SPhrases = {{S7}} {{S15}}
}}
| Section8 = {{Chembox Related
| OtherAnions = [[Magnesium chloride|MgCl<sub>2</sub>]], [[Magnesium sulfate|MgSO<sub>4</sub>]], [[Magnesium hydroxide|Mg(OH)<sub>2</sub>]],<br /> [[Magnesium oxide|MgO]], [[Magnesium nitride|Mg<sub>3</sub>N<sub>2</sub>]]
| OtherCations = [[Calcium nitrate|Ca(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>]], [[Ammonium nitrate|NH<sub>4</sub>NO<sub>3</sub>]], [[Sodium nitrate|NaNO<sub>3</sub>]],<br /> [[Potassium nitrate|KNO<sub>3</sub>]], [[Copper (II) nitrate|Cu(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>]], [[Aluminum nitrate|Al(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>]]
}}
}}
'''Magnesium nitrate''' is a [[hygroscopic]] [[salt]] with the formula Mg(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>. In air, it quickly forms the [[hexahydrate]] with the formula Mg(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>·6H<sub>2</sub>O (and molar weight of 256.41 g/mol). It is very [[soluble]] in both water and [[ethanol]].
==Uses==
Magnesium nitrate occurs in [[Mining|mines]] and [[caverns]] as ''nitromagnesite''. This form is not common, although it may be present where [[guano]] contacts magnesium-rich [[rock (geology)|rock]]. It is used in the [[ceramic]]s, [[printing]], [[chemical]] and [[agriculture]] industries. 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 usually have [[ammonium nitrate]], [[calcium nitrate]], [[potassium nitrate]] and [[micronutrients]]; these blends are used in the [[greenhouse]] and [[hydroponics]] trade.
==Reactions==
The magnesium nitrate used in commerce is a man-made product. It can be synthesized in a variety of ways. The reaction between [[nitric acid]] and [[magnesium]] metal or [[magnesium oxide]] results in magnesium nitrate.
:2 HNO<sub>3</sub> + MgO → Mg(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub> + H<sub>2</sub>O
[[Magnesium hydroxide]] and [[ammonium nitrate]] also react to form magnesium nitrate as [[ammonia]] is released as a by-product.
:Mg(OH)<sub>2</sub> + 2 NH<sub>4</sub>NO<sub>3</sub> → Mg(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub> + 2 NH<sub>3</sub> + 2 H<sub>2</sub>O
Since magnesium nitrate has a high affinity for water, heating the [[hexahydrate]] does not result in the [[Dehydration reaction|dehydration]] of the salt. Instead, magnesium nitrate [[hexahydrate]] decomposes into [[magnesium oxide]], [[oxygen]], and [[nitrogen oxide]]s.
:2 Mg(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub> → 2 MgO + 4 NO<sub>2</sub> + O<sub>2</sub>
The absorbption of these [[nitrogen oxide]]s in water is one possible route way to synthesize [[nitric acid]]. Although it is inefficient, it does not require the use of another [[strong acid]].
[[Anhydrous]] magnesium nitrate is also used to increase the concentration of [[nitric acid]] past its [[azeotrope]] of approximently 68% [[nitric acid]] and 32% water. It is also occasionally used as a [[desiccant]].
==References==
{{Unreferenced|date =September 2007}}
<references/>
==External links==
*[http://www.akpetrochem.com/liquid_chemistry.htm Liquid Chemistry]
*[http://webmineral.com/data/Nitromagnesite.shtml Nitromagnesite Mineral Data]
*[http://science.pc.athabascau.ca/reagentstud.nsf/0/f8e65efce32b16c2872570920065283b/$FILE/Magnesium%20nitrate%20hexahydrate%20MSDS.pdf Magnesium Nitrate MSDS]
[[Category:Magnesium compounds]]
[[Category:Nitrates]]
[[de:Magnesiumnitrat]]
[[it:Nitrato di magnesio]]
[[sr:Магнезијум нитрат]]