Magnesium Carbonate

Brief Overview

Magnesium carbonate, MgCO3, is an inorganic salt that is a white solid. Several hydrated and basic forms of magnesium carbonate also exist as minerals. The most common magnesium carbonate forms are the anhydrous salt called magnesite (MgCO3). All forms of magnesium carbonate react in acids. Magnesium carbonate crystallizes in the calcite structure where in Mg2+ is surrounded by six oxygen atoms.

Manufacturing Process

Magnesium carbonate can be manufactured from reaction between magnesium hydroxide and carbon dioxide. Magnesium hydroxide is treated with 3.5 to 5 atm of carbon dioxide below 50 °C, giving soluble magnesium bicarbonate:
Mg(OH)2 + 2 CO2 → Mg(HCO3)2
Following the filtration of the solution, the filtrate is dried under vacuum to produce magnesium carbonate as a hydrated salt.