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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Citizen Chemist => Topic started by: sprotz on May 23, 2020, 02:53:25 PM

Title: Getting Magnesium metal by Electrolysis of magnesium acetate.
Post by: sprotz on May 23, 2020, 02:53:25 PM

I learned that the melting point of Magnesium Acetate is 80 C and decomposition point is 288 C. So I wondered if it would be possible for electrolysis of molten Magnesium Acetate to get magnesium metal? At low temperature?
As I know, common methods of getting magnesium metal is by electrolysis of molten magnesium chloride at a high temperature ( 900 C), or by reduction of magnesium oxide by carbon at 2000 C which is a very high temperature.  So I figured that electrolysis of its acetate would be a low temperature method. Is it possible?

Title: Re: Getting Magnesium metal by Electrolysis of magnesium acetate.
Post by: Borek on May 23, 2020, 03:16:52 PM

Interesting thinking, but it is a melting point of tetrahydrate, so technically it doesn't melt but dissolves in its hydration water - and you get a water solution.