Simple method for synthesis of magnesite (MgCO3)

A simple method for synthesizing magnesite (MgCO3) from hydromagnesite (3MgCO(3)center dot Mg(OH)(2)center dot 3H(2)O, at atmospheric conditions has been suggested. Monoethylene glycol (MEG) was used to decrease the water activity and avoid the hydrate phases of magnesium carbonate. An aqueous solution containing 95 wt % MEG was refluxed at 150 degrees C with continuous CO2(g) flow. This aided transformation of the metastable hydromagnesite into the thermodynamically stable magnesite.