The formula for magnesium carbonate hydrate, as indicated by its molecular composition, is CH2MgO4. This formula specifically represents magnesium carbonate monohydrate, which is more commonly written as MgCO₃·H₂O.
Understanding Magnesium Carbonate Hydrate
Magnesium carbonate is an inorganic salt with the chemical formula MgCO₃. When it forms a hydrate, it incorporates water molecules into its crystal structure. The molecular formula CH2MgO4 directly translates to one magnesium (Mg) atom, one carbon (C) atom, four oxygen (O) atoms, and two hydrogen (H) atoms.
Breaking down CH2MgO4:
- The
MgCO₃component accounts for one magnesium, one carbon, and three oxygen atoms. - The remaining atoms are two hydrogen and one oxygen, which combine to form one molecule of water (
H₂O).
Therefore, CH2MgO4 is equivalent to MgCO₃·H₂O, signifying that one molecule of water is associated with each unit of magnesium carbonate.
Key Properties of Magnesium Carbonate Monohydrate (CH2MgO4 or MgCO₃·H₂O)
Understanding the precise formula also allows for the calculation of its theoretical mass, which is crucial for chemical analysis and synthesis.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Compound Formula | CH2MgO4 |
| Exact Mass | 101.98035 |
| Monoisotopic Mass | 101.98035 |
- Exact Mass refers to the mass of a molecule calculated using the exact mass of the most abundant isotope of each atom.
- Monoisotopic Mass is the mass of the molecule containing only the most abundant isotope of each element. For this compound, these values are identical.
Other Forms of Magnesium Carbonate Hydrates
While CH2MgO4 (magnesium carbonate monohydrate) is a specific hydrate, magnesium carbonate can exist in various hydrated forms, each with a different number of water molecules attached:
- Dihydrate (
MgCO₃·2H₂O) - Trihydrate (
MgCO₃·3H₂O), known naturally as nesquehonite. - Pentahydrate (
MgCO₃·5H₂O), known naturally as lansfordite. - Basic Magnesium Carbonate (
Mg₅(CO₃)₄(OH)₂·4H₂O), often referred to as hydromagnesite, is another common hydrated and hydroxylated form.
Each of these hydrates possesses distinct physical and chemical properties due to the varying amounts of water incorporated into their structures. However, when the molecular formula is given as CH2MgO4, it specifically points to the monohydrate form.
For more information on magnesium carbonate monohydrate, you can refer to resources like PubChem.
