Magnesium nitraterefers toinorganic compoundswith the formula Mg(NO3)2(H2O)x, where x = 6, 2, and 0. All are white solids.[2]The anhydrous material ishygroscopic, quickly forming thehexahydrateupon standing in air. All of the salts are verysolublein both water andethanol.
Being highly water soluble, magnesium nitrate occurs naturally only inminesandcavernsasnitromagnesite(hexahydrate form).
The magnesium nitrate used in commerce is made by the reaction ofnitric acidand various magnesium salts.