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]
magnesium chlorate can be prepared by the reaction between
magnesium metal and chloric acid though this method is not recommended due to the dangers of chloric acid.
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
^ abcKossev, 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.
^ abcdJoseph 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.
^ abHerbert 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.