What is Magnesium hydroxide?
Magnesium Hydroxide is an inorganic compound which has a low solubility in water. It is also called Milk of magnesia or magnesium(2+) hydroxide.
Naturally, it occurs in the form of a mineral brucite and is a common compound found in antacids. The chemical formula of Magnesium hydroxide is Mg(OH)2.
Table of Contents
- History of Magnesium hydroxide
- Properties of Magnesium hydroxide – Mg(OH)2
- Properties of Magnesium hydroxide – Mg(OH)2
- Uses of Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2)
- Preparation of Magnesium hydroxide
- Effects on Health
- Frequently Asked Questions
History of Magnesium hydroxide
In the year 1872, Charles Henry Phillips was the first to use the term milk of magnesia. It was used for the suspension of magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)2 formulated at about 8%w/v.
Properties of Magnesium hydroxide – Mg(OH)2
| Magnesium hydroxide | Mg(OH)2 |
| Molecular Weight of Magnesium hydroxide | 58.3197 g/mol |
| Density of Magnesium hydroxide | 2.3446 g/cm3 |
| Melting Point of Magnesium hydroxide | 350 °C |
| Monoisotopic Mass | 57.991 g/mol |
Structure of Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2)
Structure of Magnesium hydroxide
Uses of Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2)
- Magnesium hydroxide is an excellent thermal conductor and poor electrical conductor.
- It is used in suspensions as a laxative or antacid.
- Used as a food additive.
- It is widely used in waste-water treatment.
- Used as a fire retardant.
- It is used in wet plate collodion process as a photographic fixer.
- It is used in gold mining.
- Used in warehouses.
Preparation of Magnesium hydroxide
When a solution of magnesium salts is combined with alkaline water it instigates precipitation of solid magnesium hydroxide. The reaction is as follows:
Mg2+ + 2 OH− → Mg(OH)2
Commercially it is produced by treating lime and seawater. Approximately one ton of magnesium hydroxide is obtained from 600 m3 of seawater. Calcium hydroxide is more soluble in magnesium hydroxide therefore Mg(OH)2 precipitates as a solid. The reaction is as follows:
MgO + H2O → Mg(OH)2
Effects on Health
Flushing or drowsiness are side effects of magnesium hydroxide. Consuming this compound on a daily basis can result in electrolyte disturbances. Excessive use can result in nausea, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramping. Symptoms include watery diarrhoea or gastrointestinal irritation may occur. Poisoning causes hypomagnesemia which includes symptoms such as: vomiting, hypotension, confusion, muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, Cardiac arrest, nausea, flushing, thirst, drowsiness, loss of tendon reflexes, respiratory depression, and coma.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Q1
What is magnesium hydroxide used for?
Magnesium hydroxide is used to soothe chronic constipation as a laxative. Magnesium hydroxide is also used as an antacid to treat indigestion, heartburn and acidic stomach
Q2
Is Milk of Magnesia the same as magnesium?
Magnesia milk can reduce constipation and improve heartburn and indigestion. Magnesium milk is sometimes referred to as magnesium hydroxide which is its chemical name. Magnesia milk is available to purchase without a prescription over the counter.
Q3
Is magnesium hydroxide a precipitate?
Mg(OH)2 is given partial precipitation with NH4OH by the magnesium ion (Mg2+). Mg(OH)2 is very sparsely soluble in water but is readily soluble in solutions of ammonium salts. Zirconium hydroxide is precipitated by the solutions NH4OH and NaOH.
Q4
What is the pH value of magnesium hydroxide?
The base is magnesium hydroxide. It has approximately a pH of 10. Magnesium hydroxide is usually called magnesium milk.
Q5
Is magnesium hydroxide a weak base?
Unlike lime, it is also much more difficult to treat magnesium hydroxide than it is caustic (NaOH). At neutral pH levels and higher, magnesium hydroxide is nearly insoluble in water. Keeping this in mind, mag has little to no effect on water alkalinity above 7.0 pH.
FAQs
Magnesium hydroxide can be used as an antacid or a laxative depending on the administered dose. As an antacid, it is used for the temporary relief of heartburn, upset stomach, sour stomach or acid indigestion.
What are the properties and uses of magnesium hydroxide? ›
Magnesium hydroxide can be used as an antacid or a laxative depending on the administered dose. As an antacid, it is used for the temporary relief of heartburn, upset stomach, sour stomach or acid indigestion.
What is the structure of the magnesium hydroxide molecule? ›
The basic structure of magnesium hydroxide consists of stacked sheets of octahedrons of magnesium hydroxide. The octahedrons are composed of magnesium ions with a +2 charge bonded to six octahedrally coordinated hydroxides with a −1 charge. Each hydroxide is bonded to three magnesium atoms.
What is the molar mass of magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)2? ›
The molar mass of Mg(OH)2 is 58.3 g mol−1.
What is the Valency of magnesium and hydroxide in the molecular formula Mg OH 2? ›
Valency of Magnesium is 2 and hydroxide is 1 in Mg(OH)2 (magnesium Hydroxide) and it is not triatomic. It contains 5 atoms i.e. one Magnesium, two oxygen and two hydrogen. Electronic configuration of Magnesium is 2,8,2.
What is Mg OH 2 used for? ›
Uses of Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2)
It is used in suspensions as a laxative or antacid. Used as a food additive. It is widely used in waste-water treatment. Used as a fire retardant.
What is magnesium hydroxide uses benefits? ›
Magnesium hydroxide is used to treat occasional constipation in children and adults on a short-term basis. Magnesium hydroxide is in a class of medications called saline laxatives. It works by causing water to be retained with the stool.
Who should not take magnesium hydroxide? ›
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, appendicitis or symptoms of appendicitis (such as stomach/abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting), magnesium-restricted diet, sudden change in bowel habits that lasts for longer than 2 weeks.
What is magnesia used for? ›
It is a laxative (osmotic-type) that is thought to work by drawing water into the intestines, an effect that helps to cause movement of the intestines. This medication is also used to treat symptoms caused by too much stomach acid such as heartburn, upset stomach, or indigestion.
What are the hazards of magnesium hydroxide? ›
May be harmful if absorbed through the skin. Inhalation: Causes respiratory tract irritation. May be harmful if inhaled. Chronic: Repeated exposure may cause kidney damage and digestive tract abnormalities.
After oral administration, up to 50% of the magnesium hydroxide suspension may be absorbed as magnesium ions through the small intestines and then rapidly excreted in the urine through the kidneys. The unabsorbed drug is mainly excreted in the feces and saliva.
What is the gram molecular weight of Mg OH 2? ›
Answer and Explanation: The molar mass of Mg(OH)2 is 58.33 g/mol.
How to calculate the molecular weight of magnesium hydroxide? ›
What are the properties of magnesium hydroxide? ›
Magnesium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Mg(OH)2. It occurs in nature as the mineral brucite. It is a white solid with low solubility in water (Ksp = 5.61×10−12). Magnesium hydroxide is a common component of antacids, such as milk of magnesia.
What is the structure of Mg OH 2? ›
The molecular formula of Magnesium Hydroxide is Mg(OH)2 and is formed by the bond formation between Mg+2 ion and two ions of (OH)-1 ion. The IUPAC name of it is Magnesium di hydroxide .
What are the uses of magnesium and properties? ›
Magnesium is used in products that benefit from being lightweight, such as car seats, luggage, laptops, cameras and power tools. It is also added to molten iron and steel to remove sulfur. As magnesium ignites easily in air and burns with a bright light, it's used in flares, fireworks and sparklers.
Is it safe to take magnesium hydroxide daily? ›
Extended use or overuse of this medication for constipation may result in dependence on laxatives and ongoing constipation. Overuse may also cause diarrhea that doesn't stop, dehydration, and mineral imbalances (such as high magnesium). Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
What are the properties of hydroxide? ›
Hydroxide is a diatomic anion with chemical formula OH−. It consists of an oxygen and hydrogen atom held together by a single covalent bond, and carries a negative electric charge. It is an important but usually minor constituent of water. It functions as a base, a ligand, a nucleophile, and a catalyst.
What is one use of magnesium hydroxide in medicine? ›
Magnesium hydroxide reduces stomach acid, and increases water in the intestines which may induce bowel movements. Magnesium hydroxide is used as a laxative to relieve occasional constipation. Magnesium hydroxide is also used as an antacid to relieve indigestion, sour stomach, and heartburn.
