Magnesium carbonate

Magnesium carbonate, MgC03, is a light, bulky white powder, very slightly soluble in water,loses CO2 even on gentle heating. It is used extensively in the manufacture of food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and magnesium salts.

Magnesium carbonate occurs in nature in several minerals as hydrated, basic and double salts, as shown above. The two principal minerals are magnesite, MgCO3 and dolomite, a double salt, CaCO3•MgCO3. Both minerals are used as source materials in the production of magnesium metal. Also, they are calcined to produce basic refractory bricks. Other applications of magnesium carbonate are in flooring, fireproofing and fire-extinguishing compositions; as a filler material and smoke suppressant in plastics; as a reinforcing agent in neoprene rubber; as a drying agent and for color retention in foods; in cosmetics; in dusting powder; and in toothpaste. The high purity magnesium carbonate is used as an antacid in medicine; and as an additive to table salt. Another important application of magnesium carbonate is as a starting material in producing a number of magnesium compounds.

Magnesium carbonate is obtained mainly by mining its natural mineral magnesite. The trihydrate salt, MgCO3•3H2O, is prepared by mixing solutions of magnesium and carbonate ions in the presence of carbon dioxide. Alternatively, it may be produced by carbonation of a magnesium hydroxide slurry with carbon dioxide under pressure (3.5 to 5 atm) and at a temperature below 50°C which yields soluble magnesium bicarbonate:
Mg(OH)2 + 2CO2 → Mg(HCO3)2
The solution is filtered to remove impurities and the filtrate is subjected to vacuum or aeration to yield insoluble magnesium carbonate as a hydrated salt:
Mg2 + 2HCO3¯ → MgCO3 + CO2 + H2O
Under ordinary conditions, anhydrous magnesium carbonate cannot be prepared in aqueous systems. The anhydrous salt, however, can be made under very high partial pressures of carbon dioxide.
Basic magnesium carbonate occurs in nature as the mineral hydromagnesite. The basic salt is obtained by mining the ore followed by purification. The basic carbonates also can be made by drying the magnesium carbonate trihydrate at about 100°C. Alternatively it can be prepared by simply boiling a solution of magnesium bicarbonate. The bicarbonate is obtained by carbonation of a magnesium hydroxide slurry below 50°C and under a CO2 partial pressure of 3.5 to 5 atm. Composition of the basic carbonate produced by the above methods is 4MgCO3 •Mg(OH)2•4H2O.
Another basic salt, MgCO3•Mg(OH)3•3H2O is precipitated when magnesium salt solution is treated with sodium carbonate solution. The reactions probably are:
CO32– + H2O → HCO3¯ + OH¯
2Mg2+ + CO32– + 2OH¯ → MgCO3•Mg(OH)2

Magnesium carbonate has the molecular formula of MgCO₃ and the molecular weight of 84.3145 g/mol.For the most part,Mg²⁺ forms several hydrated and basic carbonates that are stable and occur in nature.
The calcite structure of magnesium carbonate has the form wherein Mg²⁺ is surrounded by six O^2- atoms. The dihydrate composition has a triclinic structure, while the trihydrate has a monoclinic structure. References to “light” and “heavy” magnesium carbonates actually refer to the magnesium hydroxycarbonates. A space-filling structure of the anhydrous salt is seen in the above diagram where the triangular CO₃ ^2- groups are clearly visible.

At room temperature, linolenic acid is a colorless liquid; soluble in most organic solvents; insoluble in water. Combustible.

Light, bulky, white powder. Soluble in acids; very slightly soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol. Noncombustible.

Magnesium salts, heat insulation and refractory, rubber reinforcing agent, inks, glass, pharmaceuticals, dentifrice and cosmetics, free-running table salts, antacid, making magnesium citrate, filtering medium. In foods as drying agent, color retention agent, anticaking agent, carrier.

Magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) is found in a mixture of natural minerals. It can also be produced in several ways, including pumping carbon dioxide through magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide. It is used in pharmaceuticals such as magnesium citrate and as a desiccant to keep hydroscopic products from caking (table salt) and to strengthen rubber and produce dyes, inks, and cosmetics.

Magnesium Carbonate is an anticaking agent and general purpose food additive. it is practically insoluble in water but is more soluble in water containing carbon dioxide. it imparts a slightly alkaline reaction to the water. it is used as an alkali in sour cream, butter, and canned peas. it is used as an anticaking agent in table salt and dry mixes. it assists in providing clarity in algin gels and functions as a filler in dental impression materials.

The term magnesium carbonate is generally reserved for the synthetic, pure variety. The naturally occurring material is called magnesite.