1/8/2020 USP Monographs: Magnesium Oxide

Search USP29 Go

Magnesium Oxide
MgO 40.30

Magnesium oxide.
Magnesium oxide [1309-48-4].

» Magnesium Oxide, after ignition, contains not less than 96.0 percent and not more than 100.5 percent
of MgO.
Packaging and storage— Preserve in tight containers.

Labeling— Label it to indicate whether it is Light Magnesium Oxide or Heavy Magnesium Oxide.

Identification— A solution in diluted hydrochloric acid meets the requirements of the tests for Magnesium 191 .

Loss on ignition 733 — Transfer to a tared platinum crucible about 500 mg, weigh accurately, and ignite at 800 ± 25 to
constant weight: it loses not more than 10.0% of its weight.

Free alkali and soluble salts— Boil 2.0 g with 100 mL of water for 5 minutes in a covered beaker, and filter while hot. To 50
mL of the cooled filtrate add methyl red TS, and titrate with 0.10 N sulfuric acid: not more than 2.0 mL of the acid is
consumed. Evaporate 25 mL of the remaining filtrate to dryness, and dry at 105 for 1 hour: not more than 10 mg of residue
remains (2.0%).

Acid-insoluble substances— Mix 2 g with 75 mL of water, add hydrochloric acid in small portions, with agitation, until no
more dissolves, and boil for 5 minutes. If an insoluble residue remains, filter, wash well with water until the last washing is
free from chloride, and ignite: the weight of the ignited residue does not exceed 2 mg (0.1%).

Limit of calcium—

Dilute hydrochloric acid, Lanthanum solution, Standard preparations, and Blank solution— Prepare as directed in the test for
Limit of calcium under Magnesium Carbonate.

Test preparation— Transfer 250 mg of Magnesium Oxide, freshly ignited, to a beaker, add 30 mL of Dilute hydrochloric acid,
and stir until dissolved, heating if necessary. Transfer the solution so obtained to a 200-mL volumetric flask containing 4 mL
of Lanthanum solution, dilute with water to volume, and mix.

Procedure— Proceed as directed in the test for Limit of calcium under Magnesium Carbonate: the limit is 1.1%.

Heavy metals 231 — Dissolve 2.0 g in 35 mL of 3 N hydrochloric acid, and evaporate the solution on a steam bath to
dryness. Toward the end of the evaporation, stir frequently to disintegrate the residue so that finally a dry powder is obtained.

http://ftp.uspbpep.com/v29240/usp29nf24s0_m46860.html 1/2
1/8/2020 USP Monographs: Magnesium Oxide

Dissolve the residue in 20 mL of water, and evaporate to dryness in the same manner as before. Redissolve the residue in
20 mL of water, filter if necessary, and dilute with water to 40 mL. To 20 mL add water to make 25 mL: the limit is 20 µg per
g.

Iron 241 — Boil 40 mg with 5 mL of 2 N nitric acid for 1 minute. Cool, dilute with water to 50 mL, and mix. Dilute 25 mL of
this solution with water to 45 mL, and add 2 mL of hydrochloric acid: the limit is 0.05%.

Residual solvents 467 : meets the requirements.

(Official January 1, 2007)

Assay— Ignite about 500 mg of Magnesium Oxide to constant weight in a tared platinum crucible, weigh the residue
accurately, dissolve it in 30.0 mL of 1 N sulfuric acid VS, add methyl orange TS, and titrate the excess acid with 1 N sodium
hydroxide VS. From the volume of 1 N sulfuric acid consumed, deduct the volume of 1 N sulfuric acid corresponding to the
content of calcium in the Magnesium Oxide taken for the assay. The difference is the volume of 1 N sulfuric acid equivalent
to the MgO in the portion of Magnesium Oxide taken. Each mL of 1 N sulfuric acid is equivalent to 20.15 mg of MgO and to
20.04 mg of Ca.

Auxiliary Information— Staff Liaison : Elena Gonikberg, Ph.D., Scientist

Expert Committee : (MDGRE05) Monograph Development-Gastrointestinal Renal and Endocrine
USP29–NF24 Page 1299
Pharmacopeial Forum : Volume No. 31(4) Page 1091
Phone Number : 1-301-816-8251

http://ftp.uspbpep.com/v29240/usp29nf24s0_m46860.html 2/2