magnesiumszulfát

Magnesiumsulfat is the magnesium salt of sulfuric acid with the chemical formula MgSO4. It commonly occurs as a heptahydrate, known as Epsom salt, which is MgSO4·7H2O. This white crystalline solid is soluble in water, and its solutions are neutral.

Historically, magnesium sulfate was first discovered in the town of Epsom, England, hence its common name. It can be found naturally as the mineral epsomite. Industrially, it is often produced by reacting magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide with sulfuric acid.

Magnesium sulfate has a wide range of applications. In medicine, it is used as a laxative, to treat magnesium deficiency, and to manage pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in pregnant women. Externally, it is used in baths to soothe sore muscles and in skincare products. In agriculture, it serves as a fertilizer, providing essential magnesium and sulfur for plant growth. It is also used in industry for purposes such as in the textile industry for dyeing and in paper manufacturing. The anhydrous form of magnesium sulfate is often used as a drying agent in organic chemistry.