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Magnesium chloride
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<p>Magnesium chloride is an <a href="/facts/Inorganic_compound/TfFfzxSz">inorganic compound</a> with the <a href="/facts/Chemical_formula/hghUtthl">formula</a> <a href="/facts/Magnesium/XyIhd2FG">Mg</a><a href="/facts/Chlorine/y27UwYBM">Cl</a>2. It forms <a href="/facts/Hydrates/dev82l69">hydrates</a> MgCl2·<i>n</i>H2O, where <i>n</i> can range from 1 to 12. These salts are colorless or white solids that are highly soluble in water. These compounds and their solutions, both of which occur in nature, have a variety of practical uses. <a href="/facts/Anhydrous/A7B0fDLE">Anhydrous</a> magnesium chloride is the principal precursor to magnesium metal, which is produced on a large scale. Hydrated magnesium chloride is the form most readily available. </p>