Magnesium nitrate

Description

Clear, deliquescent crystals that occur naturally as the mineral nitromagnesite. In a closed environment, a saturated aqueous solution of magnesium nitrate will form an equilibrium at a relative humidity level of about 55% (20C). Magnesium nitrate is also used in fireworks.

Synonyms and Related Terms

magnesium (II) nitrate; magnesium nitrate hexahydrate (CAS # 13446-18-9)

Other Properties

Soluble in water and ethanol.

Deliquescent point at 20C is 54.9 % RH (see saturated salt solutions)

Composition	Mg(NO3)2
CAS	10377-60-3
Melting Point	89-100
Density	1.45-1.46
Molecular Weight	mol. wt. = 148.32
Boiling Point	330

Hazards and Safety

Dangerous fire and explosion risk in contact with organic material. Strong oxidizing agent.

Mallinckrodt Baker: MSDS

Sources Checked for Data in Record

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 479

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Hermann Kuhn, Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities, Butterworths, London, 1986

• The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 5710

• Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_nitrate (Accessed Jan. 15, 2006)