5670. Magnesium Hydroxide

Nomenclature

CAS number: 1309-42-8
Magnesium hydrate; Carmilax (Pfizer); Emgesan (Kabi); Marinco H.
H2MgO2; mol wt 58.32.
H 3.46%, Mg 41.68%, O 54.87%.
Mg(OH)2.

Description and references

Occurs in nature as the mineral brucite. Prepn from magnesium chloride or sulfate and NaOH: Perlard, Waldron, US 3127241 (1964 to Dow). Industrial method for producing magnesium hydroxide having variable particle sizes: Chisholm, US 3232708 (1966 to FMC).

Properties

Amorphous powder. Practically insol in water (1:80,000). Sol in dil acids. Imparts slight alkaline reaction to water. pH of aq slurry: 9.5-10.5. Absorbs CO2 in the presence of water. Keep well closed.

Therapeutic Category

Antacid; cathartic.

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Laxative.

Keywords

Antacid; Laxative/Cathartic