Magnesium oxide

Magnesium oxide
Identifiers
CAS number 1309-48-4 Y
PubChem 14792
ChEMBL CHEMBL1200572 N
RTECS number OM3850000
ATC code A02AA02,A06AD02
Properties
Molecular formula MgO
Molar mass 40.3044 g/mol
Appearance White powder
Odor Odorless
Density 3.58 g/cm3
Melting point

2852 °C, 3125 K, 5166 °F

Boiling point

3600 °C, 3873 K, 6512 °F

Solubility in water 0.086 g/L[2]
Solubility Soluble in acid, ammonia
insoluble in alcohol
Band gap 7.8 eV [1]
Refractive index (nD) 1.736
Structure
Crystal structure Halite (cubic), cF8
Space group Fm3m, No. 225
Coordination
geometry
Octahedral (Mg2+); octahedral (O2–)
Thermochemistry
Std enthalpy of
formation
ΔfHo298
-601.24 kJ·mol−1
Hazards
MSDS ICSC 0504
EU Index Not listed
R-phrases R36, R37, R38
Main hazards Metal fume fever, Irritant
NFPA 704
0
1
0
Flash point Non-flammable
Related compounds
Other anions Magnesium sulfide
Other cations Beryllium oxide
Calcium oxide
Strontium oxide
Barium oxide
Related compounds Magnesium hydroxide
Magnesium nitride
 N (verify) (what is: Y/N?)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Magnesium oxide (MgO), or magnesia, is a white hygroscopic solid mineral that occurs naturally as periclase and is a source of magnesium (see also oxide). It has an empirical formula of MgO and consists of a lattice of Mg2+ ions and O2– ions held together by ionic bonds. Magnesium hydroxide forms in the presence of water (MgO + H2O → Mg(OH)2), but it can be reversed by heating it to separate moisture.

Magnesium oxide was historically known as magnesia alba (literally, the white mineral from Magnesia), to differentiate it from magnesia negra, a black mineral containing what is now known as manganese.

Contents

Applications

A refractory material is one that is physically and chemically stable at high temperatures. "By far the largest consumer of magnesia worldwide is the refractory industry, which consumed about 56% of the magnesia in the United States in 2004, the remaining 44% being used in agricultural, chemical, construction, environmental, and other industrial applications."[3]

Cement

MgO is one of the raw materials for making Portland cement in dry process plants. If too much MgO is added, the cement may become expansive. Production of MgO-based cement using serpentinite and waste CO2 (as opposed to conventional CaO-based cement using fossil fuels) may reduce anthropogenic emissions of CO2.[4]

Desiccant

MgO is relatively poor dessicant, but because it neutralizes sulfur oxide acids created by oxidation of Kraft-processed papers, it is used by many libraries for preserving books.

Medical

In medicine, magnesium oxide is used for relief of heartburn and sore stomach, as an antacid, magnesium supplement, and as a short-term laxative. It is also used to improve symptoms of indigestion. Side effects of magnesium oxide may include nausea and cramping.[5] In quantities sufficient to obtain a laxative effect, side effects of long-term use include enteroliths resulting in bowel obstruction.[6]

Other

Precautions

Magnesium oxide is easily made by burning magnesium ribbon which oxidizes in a bright white light, resulting in a powder. However, the bright flame is very hard to extinguish and it emits a harmful intensity of UV light. Inhalation of magnesium oxide fumes can cause metal fume fever.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ O. E. Taurian et al. (1985). "Self-consistent electronic structures of MgO and SrO". Solid State Communications 55 (4): 351. doi:10.1016/0038-1098(85)90622-2. 
  2. ^ Material Safety Data Sheet. Magnesium oxide
  3. ^ Mark A. Shand (2006). The chemistry and technology of magnesia. John Wiley and Sons. ISBN 978-0-471-65603-6. http://books.google.com/books?id=0ShuV4W0V2gC. Retrieved 10 September 2011. 
  4. ^ McKenna, Phil (25 September 2010 (updated 1 October 2010)). "Emission control: Turning carbon trash into treasure". New Scientist 2779: 48–51. http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20727791.100-emission-control-turning-carbon-trash-into-treasure.html?full=true. Retrieved 4 Oct 2010. 
  5. ^ Magnesium Oxide. MedlinePlus. Last reviewed 02/01/2009
  6. ^ Tatekawa Y, Nakatani K, Ishii H et al. (1996). "Small bowel obstruction caused by a medication bezoar: report of a case". Surgery today 26 (1): 68–70. doi:10.1007/BF00311997. PMID 8680127. 
  7. ^ Tellex, Peter A.; Waldron, Jack R. (1955). "Reflectance of Magnesium Oxide". JOSA 45 (1): 19. doi:10.1364/JOSA.45.000019. http://www.opticsinfobase.org/abstract.cfm?URI=josa-45-1-19. 
  8. ^ Index of Refraction of Magnesium Oxide Robert E. Stephens and Irving H. Malitson
  9. ^ wipp.energy.gov Step-By-Step Guide for Waste Handling at WIPP. Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. wipp.energy.gov
  10. ^ "Mass Deacidification: Saving the Written Word". Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/preservation/scientists/projects/mass_deacid.html. Retrieved 26 September 2011. 
  11. ^ National Pollutant Inventory – Magnesium Oxide Fume Fact Sheet

External links