Magnesium sulfate magnesium sulfate are also nearly neutral, compared with alkaline salts of magnesium as found in limestone; therefore, the use of magnesium sulfate as a magnesium source for soil does not significantly change the soil pH. Magnesium sulfate is used as a brewing salt in beer. It may also be used as a coagulant for making tofu. Anhydrous magnesium sulfate is commonly used as a desiccant in organic synthesis due to its affinity for water. During work-up, an organic phase is treated with anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The hydrated solid is then removed with filtration or decantation. Other inorganic sulfate salts such
Magnesium carbonate Magnesium carbonate Magnesium carbonate, MgCO (archaic name magnesia alba), is an inorganic salt that is a white solid. Several hydrated and basic forms of magnesium carbonate also exist as minerals. The most common magnesium carbonate forms are the anhydrous salt called "magnesite" (MgCO) and the di, tri, and pentahydrates known as "barringtonite" (MgCO·2 HO), "nesquehonite" (MgCO·3 HO), and "lansfordite" (MgCO·5 HO), respectively. Some basic forms such as "artinite" (MgCO·Mg(OH)·3 HO), "hydromagnesite" (4 MgCO·Mg(OH)·4 HO), and "dypingite" (4 MgCO· Mg(OH)·5 HO) also occur as minerals. Magnesite consists of white trigonal crystals. The anhydrous salt is practically insoluble in water, acetone, and