Magnesium acetate tetrahydrate is a colorless monoclinic crystal; hygroscopic; density 1.454 g/cm3; melts at 80°C; highly soluble in water (120 g/100mL at 15°C); very soluble in methanol and ethanol.
Magnesium acetate tetrahydrate is used in the manufacture of rayon fiber for cigarette filters; and as a fixative for dyes in textile printing. It also is used as an antiseptic and disinfectant.
Magnesium acetate is prepared by treating magnesium oxide with acetic acid. Magnesium oxide reacts with concentrated acetic acid in boiling ethyl acetate to produce the alpha form of anhydrous magnesium acetate. The beta form is obtained by treating the oxide with 5–6% acetic acid. In slightly hydrated isobutyl alcohol medium the product is a monohydrate, Mg(OOCCH3)2•H2O. In aqueous solution magnesium acetate crystallizes as a tetrahydrate, the commercial product. The tetrahydrate dehydrates to anhydrous salt at 134°C.
Colourless crystals or white or almost white, crystalline powder.
Magnesium acetate tetrahydrate[Mg(C2H3O2)2·4H2O] is used in the textile industry as a mordant(“fixes” dyes so that they will not run). It is also used as a deodorant and antiseptic.
Microbial Metabolite; Human Endogenous Metabolite
Crystallise it from anhydrous acetic acid, then dry it under vacuum for 24hours at 100o. [Nencollas J Chem Soc 744 1956, Beilstein 2 IV 113.]
