Question

Find the value of $x$ for the compound $Mg{(C{H_3}COO)_x}$ (magnesium (II) acetate).

Answer 1

Hint: Magnesium acetate appears as white hygroscopic crystals. It smells like acetic acid and is soluble in water. When it is in an aqueous solution its \[pH\] will be on the alkaline side of neutral. The magnesium exists as a divalent cation and tries to balance the valency of the acetate ion.

Complete answer:
Anhydrous magnesium acetate has the chemical formula \[Mg{\left( {{C_2}{H_3}{O_2}} \right)_2}\] and in its hydrated form, magnesium acetate tetrahydrate, it has the chemical formula\[Mg{\left( {C{H_3}COO} \right)_2}.4{H_2}O\] . In this compound magnesium has an oxidation state of \[ + 2\] . Magnesium acetate is the magnesium salt of acetic acid. It is deliquescent and upon heating, it decomposes to form magnesium oxide. Magnesium acetate is commonly used as a source of magnesium in biological reactions.
Synthesis of magnesium acetate from the reaction of magnesium hydroxide with acetic acid takes place as follows:
$2C{H_3}COOH + Mg{(OH)_2} \to {(C{H_3}COO)_2}Mg + 2{H_2}O$
Thus, from the above reaction, it is clearly visible that the value of $x$ for the compound $Mg{(C{H_3}COO)_x}$ (magnesium (II) acetate) is equal to 2.

Note:
Magnesium acetate is commonly used as a source of magnesium or for the acetate ion in chemistry experiments. One example of this is when magnesium acetate and magnesium nitrate were both used to perform molecular dynamics simulations and surface tension measurements. In the experiment the authors found that the acetate had a stronger affinity for the surface compared to the nitrate ion and that the \[M{g^{2 + }}\] strongly repelled away from the air/liquid interference. They also found that the \[M{g^{2 + }}\] had a stronger tendency to bind with the acetate ion compared to the nitrate.
One of the more prevalent uses of magnesium acetate is in the mixture called calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). It is a mixture of calcium acetate and magnesium acetate. CMA is thought of as an environmentally friendly alternative device to \[NaCl\] and \[CaC{l_2}\] .