What is a Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂)?

Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) is a colorless, crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. It occurs naturally in seawater and salt lakes, often extracted as bittern. In Japan, it is widely known as “nigari”, a coagulant used in tofu production. Magnesium chloride has a variety of uses: as a food additive, deicing agent, dust suppressant on roads, and a desiccant. Industrially, it is used to produce metallic magnesium and in refractory materials. It is often sold as magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl₂·6H₂O). Magnesium is an essential mineral for human health, but excessive intake can cause side effects like diarrhea. It’s a versatile compound used in both everyday and industrial applications.

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