This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2010)

Magnesium carbonate
Other names Magnesite Barringtonite (dihydrate) Nesequehonite (trihydrate) Lansfordite (pentahydrate)
Identifiers
CAS number	546-93-0 Y,  13717-00-5 (monohydrate) 5145-48-2 (dihydrate) 14457-83-1 (trihydrate) 61042-72-6 (pentahydrate)
PubChem	11029
ChemSpider	10563 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:31793 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL1200736 N
RTECS number	OM2470000
ATC code	A02AA01,A06AD01
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES [Mg+2].[O-]C([O-])=O
InChI InChI=1S/CH2O3.Mg/c2-1(3)4;/h(H2,2,3,4);/q;+2/p-2 Y Key: ZLNQQNXFFQJAID-UHFFFAOYSA-L Y InChI=1/CH2O3.Mg/c2-1(3)4;/h(H2,2,3,4);/q;+2/p-2 Key: ZLNQQNXFFQJAID-NUQVWONBAU
Properties
Molecular formula	MgCO3
Molar mass	84.3139 g/mol
Appearance	white solid hygroscopic
Odor	odorless
Density	2.958 g/cm3 (anhydrous) 2.825 g/cm3 (dihydrate) 1.837 g/cm3 (trihydrate) 1.73 g/cm3 (pentahydrate)
Melting point	540 °C decomp. (anydrous) 165 °C (trihydrate)
Solubility in water	0.0106 g/100 mL (25 °C, anhydrous) 3.75 g/L (20 °C, pentahydrate)
Solubility product, Ksp	1.0×10−5 [1]
Solubility	soluble in acid, aqueous CO2 insoluble in acetone, ammonia
Refractive index (nD)	1.717 (anhydrous) 1.458 (dihydrate) 1.412 (trihydrate)
Structure
Crystal structure	Trigonal
Thermochemistry
Std enthalpy of formation ΔfHo298	−1113 kJ/mol[2]
Standard molar entropy So298	66 J·mol−1·K−1[2]
Hazards
MSDS	ICSC 0969
EU Index	Not listed
Flash point	Non-flammable
Related compounds
Other anions	Magnesium bicarbonate
Other cations	Beryllium carbonate Calcium carbonate Strontium carbonate Barium carbonate
Related compounds	Artinite Hydromagnesite Dypingite
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 carbonate, MgCO₃, is a white solid that occurs in nature as a mineral. Several hydrated and basic forms of magnesium carbonate also exist as minerals. In addition, MgCO₃ has a variety of uses.

Forms[link]

The most common magnesium carbonate forms are the anhydrous salt called magnesite (MgCO₃) and the di, tri, and pentahydrates known as barringtonite (MgCO₃·2H₂O), nesquehonite (MgCO₃·3H₂O), and lansfordite (MgCO₃·5H₂O), respectively. Some basic forms such as artinite (MgCO₃·Mg(OH)₂·3H₂O), hydromagnesite (4MgCO₃·Mg(OH)₂·4H₂O), and dypingite (4MgCO₃· Mg(OH)₂·5H₂O) also occur as minerals. Magnesite consists of white trigonal crystals. The anhydrous salt is practically insoluble in water, acetone, and ammonia. All forms of magnesium carbonate react in acids. Magnesium carbonate crystallizes in the calcite structure where in Mg²⁺ is surrounded by six oxygen atoms. The dihydrate one has a triclinic structure, while the trihydrate has a monoclinic structure.

References to 'light' and 'heavy' magnesium carbonates actually refer to the magnesium hydroxy carbonates hydromagnesite and dypingite (respectively).^[3]

Reactions[link]

Although magnesium carbonate is ordinarily obtained by mining the mineral magnesite, the trihydrate salt, MgCO₃·3H₂O, can be prepared by mixing solutions of magnesium and carbonate ions under an atmosphere of carbon dioxide. Magnesium carbonate can also be synthesized by exposing a magnesium hydroxide slurry to carbon dioxide under pressure (3.5 to 5 atm) below 50 °C, which gives soluble magnesium bicarbonate:

Mg(OH)₂ + 2 CO₂ → Mg(HCO₃)₂

Following the filtration of the solution, the filtrate is dried under vacuum to produce magnesium carbonate as a hydrated salt:

Mg²⁺ + 2 HCO₃^– → MgCO₃ + CO₂ + H₂O

When dissolved with acid, magnesium carbonate decomposes with release of carbon dioxide:

MgCO₃ + 2 HCl → MgCl₂ + CO₂ + H₂O

MgCO₃ + H₂SO₄ → MgSO₄ + CO₂ + H₂O

At temperatures between 250 and 800 °C, MgCO₃ decomposes to magnesium oxide and carbon dioxide with reaction enthalpy 118 kJ / mole, this process is called calcining:

MgCO₃ → MgO + CO₂

Above 500 °C the process reaches a decomposition rate of 100% MgO, the publicated decomposition temperature in cases of material safety is 662 °C.

Uses[link]

Magnesite and dolomite minerals are used to produce magnesium metal and basic refractory bricks. MgCO₃ is also used in flooring, fireproofing, fire extinguishing compositions, cosmetics, dusting powder, and toothpaste. Other applications are as filler material, smoke suppressant in plastics, a reinforcing agent in neoprene rubber, a drying agent, a laxative to loosen the bowels, and color retention in foods. In addition, high purity magnesium carbonate is used as antacid and as an additive in table salt to keep it free flowing.

Because of its water-insoluble, hygroscopic properties MgCO₃ was first added to salt in 1911 to make the salt flow more freely. The Morton Salt company adopted the slogan "When it rains it pours" in reference to the fact that its MgCO₃-containing salt would not stick together in humid weather.^[4]

Magnesium carbonate, most often referred to as 'chalk', is used as a drying agent for hands in rock climbing, gymnastics, and weight lifting.

Magnesium carbonate is also used in taxidermy for whitening skulls. It can be mixed with hydrogen peroxide to create a paste, which is then spread on the skull to give it a white finish.

Magnesium Carbonate Hydroxide is used as a clay in face masks, it has mild astringent properties and helps to smooth and soften (normal and dry) skin.

Food additive[link]

As a food additive magnesium carbonate is known as E504, for which the only known side effect is that it may work as a laxative in high concentrations.^[5]

Toxicology[link]

Magnesium carbonate itself is not toxic. However, its excessive use may cause central nervous system depression and cardiac disturbances.^[6] It is slightly hazardous in case of skin and eye contact and may cause respiratory and digestive tract irritation in case of ingestion or inhalation.

Compendial status[link]

• British Pharmacopoeia ^[7]
• Japanese Pharmacopoeia ^{[8][clarification needed]}

Notes and references[link]

See also[link]

• Calcium acetate/magnesium carbonate

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Magnesium carbonate

• International Chemical Safety Card 0969
• NIST Standard Reference Database