Brucite: physical and chemical properties

Magnesium hydroxide is colorless hexagonal crystal or white powder, which is insoluble in water and alcohol, but soluble in dilute acid and ammonium salt solution, and the aqueous solution is alkaline. The solubility in water is very small, and it is a strong electrolyte. The natural mineral of magnesium hydroxide is brucite. It can be used to make sugar and magnesium oxide. Because magnesium hydroxide is rich in nature and its chemical properties are similar to those of aluminum, users began to use magnesium hydroxide instead of aluminum chloride for perfume products. Chemical formula Mg(OH)2, formula amount 58.32. White amorphous powder. Insoluble in water, easily soluble in dilute acid and ammonium salt solution. The concentration of saturated aqueous solution is 1.9 mg/L (18℃), which is alkaline. Heating to 350℃, losing water, generating magnesium oxide. Used as analytical reagent, and also used in pharmaceutical industry. Magnesium hydroxide can be obtained by reacting magnesium oxide with water.