Magnesium sulfate

Magnesium sulfate
General
Systematic name	Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate
Other names	Epsom salts bitter salts
Molecular formula	MgSO₄·7H₂O
Molar mass	120.3 g/mol
Appearance	white crystalline solid
CAS number	^*
EINECS number	?
Properties
Density and phase	g/cm³, solid
Solubility in water	25.5 g/100 ml (20 °C)
In ethanol	Slightly soluble (anh.) Insoluble (hydrate)
Melting point	°C decomp.
Structure
Coordination geometry	?
Crystal structure	monoclinic (hydrate)
Safety data
PEL-TWA (OSHA)	—
RTECS number	?
Supplementary data page
Structure & properties	n, ε_r, etc.
Thermodynamic data	Phase behaviour Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data	UV, IR, NMR, MS
Related compounds
Other cations	Calcium sulfate Aluminium sulfate
Related compounds
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25°C, 100 kPa) Chemical infobox

Magnesium sulfate or Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate or Epsom salt is a chemical compound containing magnesium, with the formula MgSO₄·7H₂O. Magnesium sulfate without water of crystalization MgSO₄ is available as a far less common chemical and drying agent, but typically "magnesium sulfate" refers to the hydrate, and Epsom salt always refers to the hydrate. In medical preparations the hydrate form is used to prepare and label even magnesium sulfate formulas in water solution, because the hydrate crystals, which are not deliquescent, are far more easily weighed and subject to quality control in manufacture.

Origin

Epsom salt was originally prepared by boiling down mineral waters at Epsom, England and afterwards prepared from sea water. In more recent times, these salts are obtained from certain minerals such as epsomite.

Agricultural use

In agriculture and gardening, magnesium sulfate is used to correct magnesium deficiency in soil (magnesium is an essential element in the chlorophyll molecule). It is most commonly applied to potted plants, or to magnesium-hungry crops, such as potatoes, roses, and tomatoes. The advantage of magnesium sulfate over other magnesium soil amendments (such as dolomitic lime) is its high solubility.

Medical use

Locally it may be used as a treatment of an ingrown nail. Oral magnesium sulfate, or magnesium oxide, is used as a laxative. Epsom salts are also available in a gel form for topical application in treating aches and pains. Intravenous use is broadening, as magnesium sulfate reduces striated muscle contractions and blocks peripheral neuromuscular transmission by reducing acetylcholine release at the myoneural junction, as well as other effects. Indications for its use are:

Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium concentrations in the blood)
In cardiac arrhythmias, most notably in:
- Atrial fibrillation
- Torsades de pointes tachycardia
Treatment (and sometimes prevention) of seizures in eclampsia, for which it is the most effective therapy.
As a bronchodilator after beta-agonist and anticholinergic agents have been tried, e.g. in severe exacerbations of asthma.Blitz M, Blitz S, Hughes R, Diner B, Beasley R, Knopp J, Rowe BH. Aerosolized magnesium sulfate for acute asthma: a systematic review. Chest 2005;128:337-44. PMID 16002955. In fact, recent studies have revealed that magnesium sulfate can be nebulized to reduce the symptoms of acute asthma (Blitz et al 2005).
As a tocolytic agent, administered intravenously for the treatment of preterm labor.
For acute treatment of migraine.

Use in organic chemistry

Anhydrous magnesium sulfate (note: this is NOT Epsom salt) is commonly used as a drying agent (dessicant) in organic synthesis due to its affinity for water. During workup, an organic phase is saturated with the compound until it no longer forms clumps. The hydrated solid is then removed with filtration.

A number of other inorganic sulfate salts, sodium sulfate and calcium sulfate for example, may also be used in the same way.

Other uses

Magnesium sulfate is used as a bath salt, particularly in floatation therapy where high concentrations raise the bath water's specific gravity, effectively making the body more buoyant. This property is also used to restore some LavaLamps damaged by being shaken by exchanging the water and adding drops of a concentrated solution until sustainable boyency is reached. Traditionally, it is also used to prepare foot baths, intended to soothe sore feet. The reason for the inclusion of the salt is cosmetic: the increase in ionic strength prevents some of the temporary skin wrinkling ("pruning") which is caused by prolonged emersion of extremities in pure water. Magnesium sulfate paste has been used as an agent for drawing (dehydrating) boils and carbuncles. In some parts of the world (such as New Zealand), it is added to homemade drinks, such as lemon cordials.

Reference

External links

Magnesium compounds | Sulfates | Laxatives

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