Magnesium

Magnesium is the chemical element with symbol Mg and atomic number 12. Its atomic mass is 24.305 u. It is the eighth element in abundance in the order of % of the earth's crust and the third most abundant dissolved in seawater. The magnesium ion is essential for all living cells. The pure metal is not found in nature. Once produced from magnesium salts, this alkaline earth metal is used as an alloying element.

History

The name magnesium originates from the Greek word for a region of Thessaly, the Magnesia Prefecture. It is related to magnetite and manganese, which also originate from the area, and they required differentiation as separate substances. (See manganese).

In 1618, a farmer in Epsom, England, tried to give his cows water from a well there. The cows refused to drink because of the bitter taste of the water, but the farmer noted that the water seemed to heal scratches and rashes. The substance became known as Epsom salts and its fame spread. It was eventually recognized as hydrated magnesium sulfate, MgSO
47 H
2O. The Englishman Joseph Black recognized magnesium as a chemical element in 1755.

The metal itself was first produced by Sir Humphry Davy in England in 1808. He used electrolysis of a mixture of magnesia (today known as periclase, i.e. magnesium oxide in the mineral state) and mercuric oxide. Antoine Bussy prepared it coherently in 1831.

Main features

Magnesium is not found in nature in a free state (as a metal), but is part of numerous compounds, mostly oxides and salts; it is insoluble. Magnesium is a light, medium strong, silvery white metal. In contact with air it becomes less lustrous, although unlike other alkaline metals it does not need to be stored in oxygen-free environments, since it is protected by a thin layer of oxide, which is quite impermeable and difficult to remove.

Like its lower neighbor on the periodic table, calcium, magnesium reacts with water at room temperature, albeit much more slowly. When immersed in water, small bubbles of hydrogen form on the surface of the metal, but if it is sprayed it reacts more quickly.

Magnesium also reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) producing heat and hydrogen, which is released into the environment in the form of bubbles. At high temperatures the reaction occurs even faster.

In organic chemistry it is a widely used metal as it is necessary for the synthesis of Grignard reagents.

Magnesium is a highly flammable metal, which easily combusts when it is in the form of chips or powder, while in the form of a solid mass it is less flammable. Once lit, it is difficult to put out, since it reacts both with nitrogen present in the air (forming magnesium nitride) and with carbon dioxide (forming magnesium oxide and carbon). When burning in air, magnesium produces a very intense white incandescent flame, which was widely used in the early days of photography. At that time magnesium powder was used as the lighting source (flash powder). Later, magnesium strips would be used in electric flash bulbs.

Applications

Objects containing magnesium.

Magnesium compounds, mainly its oxide, are used as a refractory material in furnaces for the production of iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, glass and cement, as well as in agriculture and chemical and construction industries.

The main use of the metal is as an aluminum alloy element, aluminum-magnesium alloys being used in beverage containers. Magnesium alloys, especially magnesium-aluminum, are used in automobile components, such as tires, and in various machinery. Other uses are:

• Additive in conventional propellants.
• Nodular casting (hero-silicio-Mg) as it is a spheroidizing/nodulizing agent of the graphite.
• Reducing agent in obtaining uranium and other metals from its salts.
• Hydroxide (magnesium milk), chloride, sulfate (epsom) and citrate are used in medicine.
• Magnesium carbonate powder (MgCO)₃) is used by athletes as gymnasts and weight lifters to improve the grip of objects. This is why it is practically indispensable in the escalation of difficulty to dry the sweat of hands and fingers of the climber and improve the adherence to the rock. It's taken in a bag hanging from the waist.
• Other uses include photo flashes, pyrotecnia and arson bombs, due to the light that fires your combustion.

Abundance and obtaining

Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the earth's crust, however it is not free, although it is part of the composition of more than 60 minerals, the most important industrially being deposits of dolomite, dolomite, magnesite, brucite, carnalite and olivine.

In the United States, the metal is obtained mainly by electrolysis of magnesium chloride, a method already used by Robert Bunsen, obtained from brine and seawater.

Isotopes

Magnesium-26 is a stable isotope used in radiometric dating, just like Al-26, of which it is a daughter. In the CAI (calcium and aluminum rich inclusions) of some meteorites, the oldest objects in the solar system, higher than expected amounts of Mg-26 have been found, which are attributed to the decay of Al-26. These objects, when they have detached in early stages of the formation of planets and asteroids, have not undergone the geological processes that make the chondritic structures (formed from the inclusions) disappear and therefore store information about the age of the solar system..

In the studies, the ratios of Mg-26/Mg-24 and Al-27/Mg-24 were compared, thus indirectly determining the initial Al-26/Al-27 ratio of the sample in the when it broke away from the dusty regions of the presolar nebula from which our solar system formed.

Precautions

Magnesium in powdered form is extremely flammable. In contact with air and heat it reacts quickly. This is also the case with acids, which when reacting with magnesium produce hydrogen, so it must be handled with care. If the fire occurs, do not try to put it out with water; dry sand, sodium chloride or class D fire extinguishers should be used, however it is highly reactive.

Biological paper

Magnesium is important for life, both animal and plant. Chlorophyll, which is involved in photosynthesis, is a porphyrin-magnesium complex substance.

Magnesium is an essential chemical element for humans; Most magnesium is found in bone, and its ions play important roles in the activity of many coenzymes and in ATP-dependent reactions. It also plays a structural role, since the Mg²⁺ ion has a stabilizing function in the structure of DNA and RNA chains. It is involved in the formation of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, repolarization of neurons, muscle relaxation (its action on the heart muscle being very important). The loss of magnesium is due to various causes. Magnesium found in the cell is released into the bloodstream, where it is subsequently eliminated in urine and/or feces. The greater the stress, the greater the loss of magnesium in the body. Depending on weight and height, the recommended daily amount is 300-350 mg, an amount that can be easily obtained since it is found in most foods, with the seeds being the richest in magnesium such as cocoa, almonds, soy flour, peanuts, white beans, legumes, hazelnuts, walnuts and the green leaves of vegetables.

Nutrition

Foods rich in magnesium.

Food where found

• In nuts: sunflower, sesame, almonds, pistachio, hazelnuts and nuts.
• Among the cereals: wheat germ, yeast, millet, rice, wheat and oats.
• In legumes: soya, beans, beans, chickpeas and lentils.
• In black chocolate.
• And in the germs: since chlorophyll contains magnesium.

Of what we eat only 30-40% is absorbed by our body and deposited in the small intestine.

Benefits of magnesium for our body

It has been proven that magnesium is effective for treatment

• Dyspepsia — acidity or “acid stomach” — used as an antiacid. Magnesium hydroxide is often used for its speed.
• Prevention and treatment in magnesium deficiency, and related conditions.
• Laxative for constipation or preparation of the intestine for surgical interventions or diagnostic tests.

It is likely to be effective in treating

• Preeclampsia and eclampsia — illnesses that occur during pregnancy. Magnesium is given intravenous (VI) or injection.
• Torsade de pointes—a type of irregular heartbeat. Magnesium is administered intravenously (VI).

In addition, other unchecked uses are known where their effectiveness is possible

Magnesium is used as a natural tranquilizer^{[citation needed]} that maintains the energy balance in neurons and acts on nerve transmission, keeping the nervous system in good health. It is used as an anti-stress and antidepression treatment^{[citation required]} as well as a muscle relaxant.^{[citation required]}

• Magnesium helps to fix calcium and phosphorus in bones and teeth.
• Prevents kidney stones as it mobilizes calcium.^{[chuckles]required]}
• It is also effective in pregnancy seizures: prevents premature births by keeping the uterus relaxed.
• It intervenes in hormonal balance, decreasing premenstrual pains.
• It acts on the neurological system favoring sleep and relaxation.
• Authorregulates the composition and internal properties (homeostasis).
• It acts by controlling the intestinal flora and protects us from cardiovascular diseases. Favorable for those who suffer from hypertension.
• Magnesium is also used as part of the treatment of autistic spectrum disorders. [quietly required]

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency

Insufficient magnesium is rare and its symptoms are: excessive excitability, muscle weakness, drowsiness, irritability, fatigue, among others. This deficiency can occur in people who suffer from alcoholism or who have poor magnesium absorption due to causes such as burns, certain medications (some diuretics and antibiotics), low blood calcium levels, or problems absorbing nutrients from the digestive tract, known as malabsorption. Calcium can interfere with the absorption of magnesium in people at high risk of magnesium deficiency, so for these people it is recommended to consume calcium before bed instead of during meals, as well as increase the intake of vitamin D.

Uses in medicine

Magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)₂ is commonly used as an antacid or laxative. It is obtained by mixing magnesium oxide with water:

Magnesium is used to treat digestive problems associated with intestinal transit, such as irritable bowel syndrome. This is the case of some spas (such as Châtelguyon), with waters very rich in magnesium and which offer digestive, urinary and anti-stress treatments.

In case of osteoporosis, the intake of magnesium and calcium is very important, administering magnesium at night induces sleep, it is also recommended when there is hypertension.

Against blepharospasm taken as a supplement of magnesium chloride turns out to be effective in some cases.

People with renal insufficiency are recommended to consume it under medical supervision. Improves the coronary vasodilator effect in patients using calcium blockers.