Magnesium chloride serves as precursor to other magnesium compounds

Applications
by: wikipidia
Magnesium chloride serves as precursor to other magnesium compounds, for example by precipitation:
MgCl2(aq) + Ca(OH)2(aq) → Mg(OH)2(s) + CaCl2(aq)

It can be electrolysed to give magnesium metal:[5]
MgCl2(l) → Mg(l) + Cl2(g)

This process is practiced on a substantial scale.

Magnesium chloride is used for a variety of other applications besides the production of magnesium: the manufacture of textiles, paper, fireproofing agents, cements and refrigeration brine,[5] and dust and erosion control. Mixed with hydrated magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride forms a hard material called Sorel cement.

Magnesium ion Mg2+ (usually added as the chloride) is an important component in the polymerase chain reaction, a procedure used to amplify DNA fragments. It is generally used in experimental biology whenever RNA and DNA and their enzymes are to function in vitro, since Mg2+ is a necessary associate ion for nucleotides in biology, such as ATP.

Magnesium chloride is also used in several medical and topical (skin related) applications. It has been used in pills as supplemental sources of magnesium, where it serves as a soluble compound which is not as laxitive as magnesium sulfate, and more bioavailable than magnesium hydroxide and magnesium oxide, since it does not require stomach acid to produce soluble Mg2+ ion. It can also be used as an effective anaesthetic for cephalopods, some species of crustaceans,[6] and several species of bivalve, including oysters.[7]
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Culinary use

Magnesium chloride is an important coagulant (E511 [8][clarification needed]) used in the preparation of tofu from soy milk. In Japan it is sold as nigari (にがり, derived from the Japanese word for "bitter"), a white powder produced from seawater after the sodium chloride has been removed, and the water evaporated. In China it is called lushui (卤水). Nigari or lushui consists mostly of magnesium chloride, with some magnesium sulfate and other trace elements. It is also an ingredient in baby formula milk.
 
Use as an anti-icer

A number of state highway departments throughout the United States have decreased the use of rock salt and sand on roadways and have increased the use of solutions of magnesium chloride (often called "liquid magnesium chloride") as a de-icer or anti-icer. Magnesium chloride is much less toxic to plant life surrounding highways and airports, and is less corrosive to concrete and steel (and other iron alloys) than sodium chloride. The liquid magnesium chloride is sprayed on dry pavement (tarmac) prior to precipitation or wet pavement prior to freezing temperatures in the winter months to prevent snow and ice from adhering and bonding to the roadway. The application of anti-icers is utilized in an effort to improve highway safety. Magnesium chloride is also sold in crystal form for household and business use to de-ice sidewalks and driveways. In these applications, the compound is applied after precipitation has fallen or ice has formed, instead of previously.

The use of this compound seems to show an improvement in driving conditions during and after freezing precipitation, but it can damage electric utilities. This occurs in two ways: contamination of insulators, causing tracking and arcing across them, and corrosion of steel and aluminium poles and pole hardware.
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Use in dust and erosion control

Road departments and private industry may apply liquid or powdered magnesium chloride to control dust and erosion on unimproved (dirt or gravel) roads and dusty job sites such as quarries. Its hygroscopy makes it absorb moisture from the air, controlling the number of small particles which become airborne. Magnesium Chloride is acidic due to the hydrochloric compound for the amplification of electrified hydrogen atoms. Owners of indoor arenas (e.g. for horse riding) may apply magnesium chloride to sand or other floor materials to control dust.
 
Use in hydrogen storage

Magnesium chloride has shown promise as a storage material for hydrogen. Ammonia, which is rich in hydrogen atoms, is used as an intermediate storage material. Ammonia can be effectively adsorbed onto solid magnesium chloride, forming Mg(NH3)6Cl2. Ammonia is released by mild heat, and is then passed through a catalyst to give hydrogen gas.
 

Medical use

MgCl2 commonly known as magnesium chloride. One veterinary study in 1989 indicated some effectiveness against tumors when used as a feed additive.[9] In a recent experiment with mice, MgCl2 fortification of drinking water reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels, although overall plasma lipid levels were similar at the beginning and the end of the study.[10]
 
Marine aquarium use

Magnesium in natural seawater values are between (1250 mg/L-1350 mg/L). Magnesium helps to stabilize the correct combination of calcium, alkalinity and ph values. Severely low values of magnesium (900 mg/L or below) can cause low pH values and an inability to maintain proper alkalinity and calcium values. If levels of magnesium become too low, coral growth ceases; decline of coral health follows. Carbonates and calcium are essential for all growth of corals, coralline algae, clams and invertebrates. Maintaining the correct magnesium values is very important and is indirectly responsible for coral and coralline algae growth by making it possible to maintain correct calcium, alkalinity and pH values. Magnesium can be depleted by mangrove plants and the use of excessive Kalkwasser or by going beyond natural calcium, alkalinity and pH values.[11]
 
Toxicology

Magnesium toxicity is rare in healthy individuals with a normal diet, because excess magnesium is readily excreted in urine by the kidneys. If an extremely large amount is eaten, it will have effects similar to magnesium sulfate, causing diarrhea, which may make a magnesium deficiency. Magnesium ions are bitter tasting. Calcium compounds have similar toxicity, too.


Magnesium Chloride Crystals
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