Magnesium Chloride is an inorganic chemical compound consisting of two chloride ions and one magnesium ion.

The name defines the structure of the molecule

• "Magnesium" is an alkaline earth metal, symbol Mg, with atomic number 12. It's an essential element for life, crucial for bone health and many cellular functions.
• "Chloride" indicates the presence of a chloride anion, which has the formula Cl-. It is a common anion in the natural world.

Description of the raw materials used in its production.

• Sea Water - One of the major sources of magnesium.
• Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) - Used to react with magnesium compounds to form magnesium chloride.

Step-by-step summary of its industrial chemical synthesis process. 

• Extraction of Magnesium - Magnesium is extracted from seawater or from minerals such as magnesite.
• Reaction with Hydrochloric Acid - The extracted magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid to form magnesium chloride and hydrogen.
• Crystallization - The magnesium chloride solution is concentrated and allowed to crystallize to obtain solid magnesium chloride.
• Purification - The crystallized magnesium chloride is purified to remove impurities, e.g., by recrystallization.

It appears as a white crystalline powder.

Magnesium chloride occurs naturally in :

• all green vegetables
• legumes
• whole cereals
• potato skins
• oats
• bran
• bananas
• milk
• cocoa

What it is used for and where

Food

Ingredient on the European food additives list as E511, firming, aggregating and raising agent. Adjuvant food supplement in the treatment of arthritis, muscle pain, fatigue.

Medical

Magnesium is important in the metabolism of vitamin D and its actions.

Severe magnesium deficiency can lead to neuromuscular hyperexcitability with upper and/or lower limb cramps (1), cardiovascular problems and arteriosclerosis (2).

A diet of fruit and vegetables, increased magnesium content from 176mg per day to 423mg per day, reduced blood pressure in adult subjects classified as non-hypertensive. (3)

In the elderly, magnesium deficiency was found to be due to reduced appetite, decreased taste and smell, falling teeth and difficulty in going to the grocery store daily, as well as disaffection from cooking. Moreover, magnesium absorption tends to decrease with age due to physiological issues.(4)

Many studies have focused on the optimal amount of magnesium to take depending on age and gender (5), which is also effective against migraine (6).

Cosmetics

Flavoring agent. The purpose of this ingredient is to modify the solution to add flavour. Natural flavouring extracts are rather expensive, so the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries resort to synthesised substances that have sensory characteristics mostly similar to natural flavourings or are naturally equivalent. This ingredient is isolated through chemical processes or is synthesised from chemicals. It is also referred to as Aroma.

Viscosity control agent. It controls and adapts viscosity to the required level for optimal chemical and physical stability of the product and dosage in gels, suspensions, emulsions, solutions. 

Other uses

• In aquaria it stabilises the correct balance of calcium, alkaline value and pH.
• Considered the best product for melting ice as it is less corrosive than other products.

Commercial applications

Food Additive. Magnesium Chloride is used as a coagulant in the production of tofu and as a food additive designated as E511.

Dust Suppressant. Used on roads to control dust.

De-icing Agent. Used on roads and sidewalks to melt ice and snow.

Nutritional Supplement. Used as a source of magnesium in dietary supplements.

Pharmaceuticals. Used in medicinal preparations as a magnesium salt.

Sorel Cement Production. Used in the production of magnesia cement (Sorel cement).

• Molecular Formula   Cl₂Mg
• Molecular Weight    95.205 g/mol
• CAS   7786-30-3
• UNII    59XN63C8VM
• EC Number       232-094-6
• DSSTox ID  DTXSID5034690
• IUPAC  magnesium;dichloride
• InChl=1S/2ClH.Mg/h2*1H;/q;;+2/p-2
• InChl Key      TWRXJAOTZQYOKJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L
• SMILES  [Mg+2].[Cl-].[Cl-] 
• MDL number  MFCD00011106
• PubChem Substance ID    24897235
• ChEBI  6636
• RTECS  OM2800000
• NCI    C76656
• RXCUI      1311539  
• Nikkaji      J43.880D    
• ISC    0764  
• NACRES   NA.23

Synonyms :

• Magnesium chloride anhydrous
• Chloromagnesite
• Magnesiumchlorid
• Magnesium(2+) dichloride

References_________________________________________________________________________

(1) Rude RK, Singer FR. Magnesium deficiency and excess. Ann Rev Med. 1980;32:245–259

(2) Altura BT, Brust M, Bloom S, Barbour RL, Stempak JG, Altura BM. Magnesium dietary intake modulates blood lipid levels and atherogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1990;87:1840–1844

(3) Appel LJ, Moore TJ, Obarzanek E, Vollmer WM, Svetkey LP, Sacks FM, Bray GA, Vogt TM, Cutler JA, Windhauser MM, Lin PH, Karanja N. A clinical trial of the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure. N Engl J Med. 1997;336:1117–1124

(4) Lowik MR, van Dokkum W, Kistemaker C, Schaafsma G, Ockhuizen T. Body composition, health status and urinary magnesium excretion among elderly people (Dutch Nutrition Surveillance System). Magnes Res. 1993;6:223–232

(5) Schwartz R, Spencer H, Welsh JJ. Magnesium absorption in human subjects from leafy vegetables, intrinsically labeled with stable 26Mg. Am J Clin Nutr. 1984;39:571–576. 
Hunt MS, Schofield FA. Magnesium balance and protein intake level in adult human female. Am J Clin Nutr. 1969;22:367–373

(6) Sun-Edelstein C, Mauskop A. Foods and supplements in the management of migraine headaches.  Clin J Pain. 2009 Jun;25(5):446-52. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e31819a6f65. Review.