Thursday, January 3, 2013

Is MgO a weak acid or a base?

Magnesium oxide (MgO) is a base and not an acid. Magnesium is a metal and like most of the metals, it form basic oxides. When magnesium oxide reacts with water the following reaction takes place:


`MgO + H_2O -> Mg(OH)_2`


magnesium hydroxide is formed in this reaction. Since magnesium oxide accepts protons (H^+ ions), it is a base (as per Bronsted-Lowry definition of acids and bases). Acids, on the other hand, are donors of protons. 


Magnesium oxide is not a very strong base, especially when compared with group I oxide, such as sodium oxide (Na2O). 


Metal oxides are generally basic in nature, especially the first oxides where the highest oxidation state of the metal is involved. Aluminum oxide is a transitory compounds (shows properties of both acids and bases).




Hope this helps.

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