Title: Magnesium Sulfate
CAS Registry Number: 7487-88-9
Molecular Formula: MgO4S
Molecular Weight: 120.37
Percent Composition: Mg 20.19%, O 53.17%, S 26.64%
Line Formula: MgSO4
Literature References: Monohydrate occurs in nature as the mineral
kieserite.
Review: Gmelins, Magnesium (8th ed)
27, 210-211, 223-226 (1939). Review of clinical experience: R. Swain, B. Kaplan-Machlis,
South. Med. J. 92, 1040-1047 (1999); of toxicology: J. W. Van Hook,
Crit. Care Clin. 7, 215-223 (1991); R. B. Birrer
et al., J. Emerg. Med. 22, 185-188 (2002). Clinical trial in prevention of eclamptic convulsions: L. Duley
et al., Lancet 359, 1877 (2002).
Derivative Type: Trihydrate
CAS Registry Number: 15320-30-6
Literature References: Prepn: Bennett,
US 3297413 (1967 to Dow).
Properties: Odorless crystals.
Derivative Type: Heptahydrate
CAS Registry Number: 10034-99-8
Synonyms: Bitter salts; epsom salts
Trademarks: Mg 5-Sulfat (Artesan)
Literature References: Occurs in nature as the mineral
epsomite.
Properties: Efflorescent crystals or powder; bitter, saline, cooling taste. d 1.67. Soly in water (g/100 ml): at 20° = 71; at 40° = 91. Slightly sol in alcohol. Its aq soln is neutral. pH 6-7. On exposure to dry air at ordinary temp it loses ~1H2O; at 70-80° loses 4H2O; at 100° loses 5H2O; at 120° loses 6H2O, rapidly reabsorbing water when exposed to moist air; loses the last mol of water at ~250°.
Density: d 1.67
Derivative Type: Dried magnesium sulfate
Literature References: Prepd by heating the heptahydrate until ~25% of its weight is lost. Used in
Morison's paste.
Properties: Keep well closed.
CAUTION: Parenteral use or use in presence of renal insufficiency may lead to magnesium intoxication.
See: M. J. Ellenhorn
et al., Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning (Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 2nd ed., 1997) pp 1013-1014. Potential symptoms of overexposure are pseudocoma, hyporeflexia, muscle weakness, ataxia, confusion, nausea, vomiting, flushing, bradycardia, hypotension, widened QRS, AV block and respiratory arrest (Swain, Kaplan-Machlis).
Use: Weighting cotton and silk; increasing the bleaching action of chlorinated lime; manuf mother-of-pearl and frosted papers; fire-proofing fabrics; dyeing and printing calicos; in fertilizers; explosives, matches; mineral water; tanning leather.
Therap-Cat: Anticonvulsant; cathartic; magnesium replenisher.
Therap-Cat-Vet: Anticonvulsant; cathartic; magnesium replenisher.
Keywords: Anticonvulsant; Laxative/Cathartic; Replenishers/Supplements; Magnesium.
