Magnesium tellurite has the molecular formula of
MgTeO3 and the molecular weight of 199.9032 g/mol.
It can be formed by the solid-state reaction:
MgO+ TeO2+ heat ? MgTeO3
An inert atmosphere is required. This salt is a metatellurite.
If a solution method is used, the result is likely
to be quite different in that a hydrate is formed:
MgCl2+ Na2TeO3 ? MgTeO3
Additionally, this compound can be prepared by
reacting telluriumdichloride in a solution of magnesium
chloride:
MgCl2+ 2TeCl2+ 3H2O ? Te+ MgTeO3+ 6HCl
In all cases involving solution chemistry, the product
is either a pentahydrate or hexahydrate, MgTeO3·5H2O
or MgTeO3·6H2O.
The molecular weights of these compounds are
289.9799 g/mol and 307.9952 g/mol, respectively. If the
hexahydrate is heated, a loss of water of hydration occurs
at about 105°C.
