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Magnesium compounds: how do they play a key role in modern industry and biology?
Magnesium compounds are important compounds formed from the element magnesium (Mg) and are widely used in industry and biology. These compounds include magnesium carbonate, magnesium chloride, magnesium citrate, magnesium hydroxide (i.e. milk), as well as magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate and magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (Epsom salt). These compounds not only play a variety of roles in daily life, but are also the cornerstone of major industries.
Inorganic compounds
Hydrides, halides and oxyhalides
Magnesium hydride was first prepared in 1951 through the reaction of hydrogen and magnesium at high temperatures and pressures, with lithiated iodine as a catalyst. Magnesium hydride reacts with water to release hydrogen gas and decomposes at 287°C.
Magnesium can form compounds with the chemical formula MgX2 (X=F, Cl, Br, I) with elements
Magnesium chloride is usually obtained by chlorination of magnesium oxide or by reaction with magnesium chloride hexahydrate in the presence of anhydrous hydrogen chloride. Its hydrates break down when heated, making the chemical reaction more complex.
Oxides and sulfides
Magnesium oxide is the end product of the thermal decomposition of some magnesium compounds and is usually prepared by igniting carbonates or hydroxides. Magnesium hydroxide is a strong electrolyte that can be obtained by the reaction of soluble magnesium salts with sodium hydroxide.
Magnesium sulfide can be obtained by the reaction of magnesium and hydrogen sulfide, or by the reaction of magnesium sulfate and carbon disulfide at high temperature
Magnesium polysulfides are being studied for use in magnesium-sulfur batteries, which shows the importance and application potential of magnesium compounds in modern technology.
Organic compounds
Grinier reagent
The name of the Grignard reagent comes from the French chemist Victor Grignard. It is an organomagnesium compound with the general formula R–Mg–X, where R is a hydrocarbon group and X is a halogen. Typically, Grignard reagents are obtained by reaction with halocarbon compounds in solvents.
Grignard reagents are extremely common in organic synthesis and can effectively extend carbon chains. In addition, other organomagnesium compounds, such as dienylmagnesium, also exhibit similar reactivity.
Apply to various fields
Magnesium compounds, especially magnesium oxide (MgO), are used as refractory materials in the smelting process of iron, steel and other non-ferrous metals. In addition, magnesium compounds have important applications in the agricultural, chemical and construction industries.
Magnesium compounds are an essential part of modern agricultural production because they are components of chloramines
Magnesium hydride has been studied as a means of storing hydrogen, showing potential applications in energy storage systems. Magnesium salt is added to a wide range of foods to provide necessary nutrients for human health.
Magnesium compounds play a vital role in many industrial processes, from metal smelting to organic synthesis, and their diversity makes them ubiquitous in modern society. Can these applications be further expanded with the advancement of science and technology and become an indispensable part of modern industry?
