Magnesium nitrate represented by the chemical formula Mg(NO₃)₂ or MgN₂O₆ that bears the IUPAC name magnesium dinitrate ^[1] is a white crystalline hygroscopic powder that is soluble in water and alcohol ^[6]. It is a magnesium salt and contains chemical bonds that are ionic in nature ^[1].

Magnesium Nitrate Identification
CAS Number	10377-60-3 [1]
PubChem CID	25212 [1]
ChemSpider ID	23415 [2]
EC Number	233-826-7 [1]

Composition and Synthesis

Magnesium nitrate can be prepared by combining magnesium sulfate with calcium nitrate ^[4].

MgSO₄ + Ca(NO₃)₂ = Mg(NO₃)₂ + CaSO₄

Properties and Characteristics of Magnesium Nitrate

General Properties
Molar mass/molecular weight		148.313 g/mol [1]
Physical Properties
Color/appearance		White crystals [1]
Melting point/freezing point		89°C, 192.2°F [3]
Boiling point		330°C, 626°F [3]
Density		1.46 g cm-3 [3]
State of matter at room temperature (normal phase)		Solid [1]
Chemical Properties
Solubility in water		42 g/100 ml (at 20oC) [4]
pH		5-7 (acidic) [5]
Atomic Properties
Crystal structure	Cubic [6]

Prominent Reactions of Mg(NO₃)₂

A chemical reaction between magnesium nitrate and sodium carbonate produces magnesium carbonate and sodium nitrate ^[7].

Mg(NO₃)₂ + Na₂CO₃ = MgCO₃ + 2NaNO₃

Magnesium nitrate decomposes in water forming magnesium hydroxide, ammonia and oxygen ^[8].

Mg(NO₃)₂ + 4H₂O = Mg(OH)₂ + 2NH₃ + 4O₂

On heating Mg(NO₃)₂, it decomposes in magnesium oxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen ^[9].

2Mg(NO₃)₂ = 2MgO + 4NO₂ + O₂

It reacts with sodium hydroxide to give magnesium hydroxide and sodium nitrate ^[10].

Mg(NO₃)₂ + 2NaOH = Mg(OH)₂ + 2NaNO₃

Magnesium Nitrate Uses

1. As a safe source of nitrate ions ^[4].
2. In the production of nitrogenous fertilizers ^[4].
3. In pyrotechnics and concentrated nitric acid manufacture ^[6].
4. Helps in prilling and coating for ammonium nitrate production and is an ingredient of cosmetics and shampoos ^[6].

Is It Dangerous

Being a strong oxidizer, it may cause a fire hazard. It may also cause an explosion hazard when brought in contact with organic substances. Contact with eyes, skin and inhalation should be avoided as it results in irritation, coughing and shortness of breath. Ingestion in large quantities results in abdominal pain, dizziness, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, convulsions, weakness and collapse ^[6].

References
1. Magnesium Nitrate – Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2. Magnesium Nitrate – Chemspider.com
3. Magnesium Nitrate – Americanelements.com
4. Magnesium Nitrate – Sciencemadness.org
5. Magnesium Nitrate Hexahydrate – Sigmaaldrich.com
6. Magnesium Nitrate – Chemicalbook.com
7. Question: Magnesium Nitrate and sodium carbonate Mg(NO_3)_2 + Na_2 – Chegg.com
8. How is the balanced equation of magnesium nitrate plus water determined? – Quora.com
9. The thermal decomposition of nitrate magnesium – Chemiday.com
10. Question: Sodium hydroxide reacts with magnesium nitrate to form magnesium hydroxide – Chegg.com