Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Magnesium Sulfate

DalisAndy - 24-10-2015 at 15:04

Can boric acid react with magnesium sulfate? I was going to use it as a drying agent.

zed - 24-10-2015 at 16:20

Well, Sulfuric acid is one of the strongest, and Boric Acid not so much. Magnesium is highly electropositive, and it is going to want to romance the strongest acid.

So probably, no reaction. Unless, Magnesium Borate happens to be very very insoluble.

I am rendering this opinion with zero confidence. But, I'm sure someone with more knowledge will
clear things up.

blogfast25 - 24-10-2015 at 17:38

Quote: Originally posted by DalisAndy  
Can boric acid react with magnesium sulfate? I was going to use it as a drying agent.


Your question is unclear. Are you trying to dehydrate boric acid using anh. MgSO<sub>4</sub> as a desiccant?
Quote: Originally posted by zed  
Well, Sulfuric acid is one of the strongest, and Boric Acid not so much. Magnesium is highly electropositive, and it is going to want to romance the strongest acid.


Electropositivity has nothing to do with anything here.

[Edited on 25-10-2015 by blogfast25]