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Properties

General

Name Magnesium hydroxide
Chemical formula Mg(OH)2
Molar mass 58.33 g/mol
Appearance White solid

Physical

Melting point Decomposes at 623 K (350 °C)
Density 2.4 g/cm³
Crystal structure ?
Solubility 0.0012 g in 100 g water

Thermochemistry

ΔfH0gas -561 kJ/mol
ΔfH0solid -925 kJ/mol
S0solid 63 J/(mol·K)

Safety

Ingestion Safe in small amounts, but large amounts can be dangerous.
Inhalation May cause irritation.
Skin May cause irritation.
Eyes May cause irritation.
More info Hazardous Chemical Database
SI units were used where possible. Unless otherwise stated, standard conditions were used.

Disclaimer and references

Magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)2, otherwise known as milk of magnesia, is commonly used as an antacid or a laxative. The mineral form of magnesium hydroxide is known as brucite. Magnesium hydroxide interferes with the absorption of folic acid and iron. The diarrhea caused by magnesium hydroxide carries away much of the body's supply of potassium, and failure to take extra potassium will lead to muscle cramps.

It has very low solubility in water, and has a Ksp value of 1.5e-11.

It is a weak base.

Preparation


Mg_3N_2 + 6H_2O \rightarrow 2NH_3 + 3Mg(OH)_2

MgO + H_2O \rightarrow Mg(OH)_2

External links


Magnesium compounds | Hydroxides | Bases

Magnesiumhydroxid | Hidróxido de magnesio | 水酸化マグネシウム | Магнезијум хидроксид | แมกนีเซียมไฮดรอกไซด์

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Magnesium hydroxide".

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