Magnesium Carbonate(MgCO3) Properties(25 Facts)

Magnesium carbonate is one of the compounds of magnesium generally obtained by mining magnesite. Let us learn more about Magnesium carbonate’s properties.

Magnesium carbonate is an ionic compound that is primarily used for the production of magnesium oxide. It is also used in many other things, such as flooring, fireproofing, chalk, toothpaste, etc.

In this article, we will explore Magnesium carbonate’s nomenclature, important properties, and structure.

Magnesium carbonate IUPAC name

The IUAPC name of Magnesium carbonate is magnesium carbonate.

Magnesium carbonate chemical formula

The chemical formula of Magnesium carbonate is MgCO₃.

Magnesium carbonate CAS number

The CAS number of MgCO₃ is 546-93-0.

Magnesium carbonate ChemSpider ID

The ChemSpider ID of Magnesium carbonate is 10563.

Magnesium carbonate chemical classification

MgCO₃ is chemically classified as an inorganic salt and as a carbonate.

Magnesium carbonate molar mass

Magnesium carbonate’s Molar Mass is 26.3207. The calculation is shown below:

Magnesium carbonate color

The color of MgCO₃ is white.

Magnesium carbonate viscosity

MgCO₃‘s viscosity cannot be measured since it decomposes upon heating.

Magnesium carbonate molar density

The molar density of anhydrous MgCO₃ is 0.0350836 mol/cm³.

Magnesium carbonate melting point

The melting point of anhydrous MgCO₃ is 350 °C

Magnesium carbonate boiling point

The boiling point of MgCO₃ is not known since it decomposes upon heating at high temperatures before boiling:

MgCO₃  → MgO + CO₂

Magnesium carbonate state at room temperature

MgCO₃ is a solid at room temperature.

Magnesium carbonate ionic bond

Mg²⁺ and CO­₃^2- ions are joined by ionic bonds, and the bonds between C and O atoms are covalent.

Magnesium carbonate ionic radius

The radius is not defined for Magnesium carbonate since the ionic/Covalent radii are defined and measured only for atoms and not molecules. Magnesium carbonate is an ionic compound containing five atoms.

Magnesium carbonate electron configurations

Electron configurations show us how the electrons are distributed in an atomic orbital around the nucleus. Let us see the electronic configuration of MgCO_3.

• The electron configuration of Mg²⁺ in Magnesium carbonate is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶, which can also be written in the noble gas configuration as [Ne]3s⁰.
• It is not as simple to describe the electronic configuration of CO­₃^2- by simply filling atomic orbitals since it will require complicated molecular orbitals and knowledge of symmetry and group theory.

Magnesium carbonate oxidation state

The Mg atom in Magnesium carbonate is in a +2 Oxidation state. The CO₃^2- ion is in -2 oxidation state, where each O atom is in an oxidation state of -2, and the C atom is in a +4 oxidation state.

Magnesium carbonate alkaline

MgCO₃ is alkaline and reacts with acids to form salt and carbonic acid.

MgCO­­₃ + 2 HCl → MgCl­_­­₂ + H₂CO₃

Is Magnesium carbonate odourless

Magnesium carbonate is odourless.

Is Magnesium carbonate paramagnetic

Paramagnetic substances are attracted to magnets; due to an unpaired electron that aligns its magnetic moment with the magnetic field. Let us see if MgCO₃ is paramagnetic.

Magnesium Carbonate is not paramagnetic since all the electrons of the MgCO₃ are paired in both Mg²⁺ and CO­₃^2- ions.

Magnesium carbonate hydrates

MgCO₃ forms three different hydrates in addition to the anhydrous form:

Type	Formula	No. of water molecules	Molar Mass
Dihydrate	MgCO3.2H­2­O	2	120.344
Trihydrate	MgCO3.3H­2­O	3	138.359
Pentahydrate	MgCO3.5H­2­O	5	174.389

Magnesium carbonate crystal structure

Anhydrous magnesium carbonate, also known as Magnesite, crystallizes in a calcite structure. The hydrated forms have a triclinic structure.

Magnesium carbonate polarity and conductivity

• MgCO₃ is polar since it is an ionic compound.

• MgCO₃ may provide ions to conduct electricity in the molten state.

Magnesium carbonate reaction with acid

Magnesium carbonate is basic and will react with most acids to form salt and carbonic acid.

MgCO­­₃ + H₂SO­₄ → MgSO­₄ + H₂CO₃

Magnesium carbonate reaction with base

MgCO₃ does not react with bases.

Magnesium carbonate reaction with oxide

MgCO₃ is basic, so it will react with acidic oxides such as H­₃PO_4.

3MgCO­­₃ + 2H₃PO­₄ → Mg₃(PO­4)₂ + 3H₂CO₃

Conclusion

We learned about Magnesium carbonate’s physical and chemical properties, a highly versatile compound used in medicines, chalk, as an industrial precursor, and the limestone we use on our floors.