Magnesium hypophosphite or phosphinate has the
molecular formula of Mg(H2PO2)2 and the molecular
weight of 154.2546 g/mol. Its CAS number is 10377-57-
8. This salt can be prepared by the aqueous reaction of
the carbonate or oxide with H3PO2:
MgO + 2H3PO2 ? Mg(H2PO2)2
The salt is soluble in water (20 g/100 ml at 20°C) so
that the solution must be evaporated to obtain the hexahydrate
crystals. Mg(H2PO2)2·6H2O has the CAS
number of 26264-58-4 and the density of 1.59 g/cm3. It
is composed of white square crystals that are water
soluble. It is insoluble in alcohol or ether.
Magnesium hypophosphite is as reducing agent, it can be used in pharmaceutical, chemical plating and other fields.
Hypophosphorous Acid can be used as a reducing agent for the conversion of aromatic and aliphatic diselenides to the corresponding selenols. It can also undergoe oxidation in the presence of Ce(IV) and a strong acid to afford cerium(IV) hypophosphite complex ions.
However, themajor use ofmagnesium phosphinate has
been for the treatment of calcium and magnesium deficiency
in cattle, swine, goats and sheep. This salt has been
approved by numerous Agencies, including the FDA
and Veterinary Association for this purpose. It is injected
as a pure solution along with a sugar, calcium gluconate.
