Magnesium oxalate

Magnesium oxalate has been found naturally near Mill of Johnston, which is located close to Insch in northeast Scotland.

A scanning electron micrograph of samples taken showed that the crystals had a pyramidal structure with both curved and striated faces.

A specific example of a synthesis would be mixing Mg(NO3)2 and KOH and then adding that solution to dimethyl oxalate, (COOCH3)2.

[8] Magnesium oxalate dihydrate has also been used in the synthesis of nano sized particles of magnesium oxide, which have larger surface are to volume ratio than conventionally synthesized particles and are optimal for various applications, such as in catalysis.

Magnesium oxalate is non-flammable and stable, but in fire conditions it will give off toxic fumes.

NFPA 704 four-colored diamond Health 1: Exposure would cause irritation but only minor residual injury. E.g. turpentine Flammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. water Instability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogen Special hazards (white): no code