Magnesium chlorate refers to inorganic compounds with the chemical formula Mg(ClO3)2(H2O)x. The anhydrous (x = 0), dihydrate (x = 2), and hexahydrate (x = 6) are known. These are thermally labile white solids. The hexahydrate has been identified on the Martian surface.[3]
Production
Samples of magnesium chlorate were first claimed in 1920 as the result of treating magnesium oxide with chlorine. A more modern method involves electrolysis of magnesium chloride.[4] The magnesium chlorate can be purified by exploiting its solubility in acetone.[4]
Properties
The hexahydrate Mg(ClO3)2·6H2O decomposes to the tetrahydrate at 35 °C. At 65 °C, it dehydrates to the dihydrate, then at 80 °C forms a basic salt. If further heated to 120 °C it decomposes to water, oxygen, chlorine, and magnesium oxide.[2]
As confirmed by X-ray crystallography, the di- and hexahydrates feature octahedral Mg2+ centers. The other ligands are water, exclusively in the hexahydrate. In the dihydrate, chlorate is also coordinated and functions as a bridging ligand.[1]
Uses
Magnesium(II) chlorate is used as a powerful desiccant and a defoliant for cotton, potato, and rice. It is also found as a lubricant in eye drops as an inactive ingredient.[5]
Hazards
Magnesium chlorate is an oxidizer and can in principle form explosive mixtures.
References
- ^ a b c Kossev, K; Tsvetanova, L.; Dimowa, L.; Nikolova, R.; Shivachev, B. (2013). "Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Magnesium Chlorate Dihydrate and Magnesium Chlorate Hexahydrate". Bulgarian Chemical Communications. 45: 543–548.
- ^ a b c d Joseph William Mellor (1922). Supplement to Mellor's Comprehensive Treatise on Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry: suppl. 3. K, Rb, Cs, Fr. Longmans, Green and Company.
- ^ Ojha, Lujendra; Wilhelm, Mary Beth; Murchie, Scott L.; McEwen, Alfred S.; Wray, James J.; Hanley, Jennifer; Massé, Marion; Chojnacki, Matt (2015). "Spectral evidence for hydrated salts in recurring slope lineae on Mars". Nature Geoscience. 8 (11): 829–832. Bibcode:2015NatGe...8..829O. doi:10.1038/ngeo2546.
- ^ a b Herbert Maxim (1948). The electrolytic production of magnesium chlorate and perchlorate. the Department of Chemical Engineering: University of Southern California.
- ^ "MAGNESIUM CHLORATE". National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Retrieved 27 August 2021.