Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) (CAS 7786-30-3) — Citrus None Note Fragrance Ingredient
Magnesium chloride (MgCl2)
CAS 7786-30-3
What Is Magnesium chloride (MgCl2)?
Magnesium chloride is an inorganic salt primarily used in industrial applications and food processing. It’s found in de-icing agents, tofu production, and some medicinal products. While not a traditional fragrance ingredient, it occasionally appears in perfumery as a texturizing agent or stabilizer in certain formulations where its hygroscopic properties are beneficial.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) Smell Like?
Magnesium chloride is odorless in its pure form. As an inorganic salt, it lacks the volatile organic compounds that produce scent. In perfumery applications, it serves functional rather than olfactory purposes, potentially modifying texture or acting as a carrier for other aromatic compounds without contributing its own scent profile.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: [Mg++].[Cl-].[Cl-]
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Magnesium chloride is an ionic compound consisting of magnesium cations (Mg²⁺) and chloride anions (Cl⁻). It typically occurs as a hydrate in nature. Industrially produced through evaporation of seawater or brine solutions, or by reaction of magnesium hydroxide with hydrochloric acid. The hexahydrate form (MgCl₂·6H₂O) is most common. Unlike organic fragrance molecules, it doesn’t participate in scent creation but may influence product stability and texture.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Melting Point | 714 °C (anhydrous) |
|---|---|
| Solubility | 54.3 g/100 mL (20°C water) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functional Additive | 0.1-2% | Up to 5% | Texture modification |
| Carrier Systems | 1-3% | Up to 10% | Salt-based delivery |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use as a hygroscopic agent to modify product viscosity in water-based systems.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Common table salt with similar textural properties but different solubility profile.
Alternative inorganic salt with stronger hygroscopic properties for moisture control.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted by IFRA – classified as non-fragrance ingredient
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
Not evaluated by RIFM as it’s not a fragrance material.
Sustainability
Magnesium chloride is abundantly available from seawater and mineral deposits. Synthetic production is energy-intensive but creates a pure product. Considered environmentally benign at typical usage levels, though mining operations can impact local ecosystems. Recycling of industrial byproducts is becoming more common.
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Magnesium chloride PubChem
- EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2012). Scientific Opinion on magnesium chloride. EFSA Journal. EFSA
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID5034690
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 95.21 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 2.313 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 1078.667 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 711 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | -6.373 dimensionless💻 Computed |
| Water Solubility | 5.313 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 0 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
