Magnesium Probes

Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg and its atomic number is 12. It is a shiny gray solid with similar physical similarities to the other five elements in the second column of the Periodic Table of the Elements (Group 2 or alkaline earth metal). The electron envelopes of all Group 2 elements have the same electronic configuration and a similar crystal structure.

Figure 1. Shiny gray solid of magnesium.

Magnesium is the ninth most abundant element in the universe. It is produced in large aging stars by sequentially adding three helium nuclei to the carbon core. When such stars explode into supernovae, many of the magnesium is discharged into the interstellar medium, where magnesium may be recycled into a new star system. Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the earth's crust, and is the fourth most common element on earth (second only to iron, oxygen and silicon), accounting for 13% of the planet's mass, accounting for a large part of the mantle. It is the third highest content element dissolved in seawater, second only to sodium and chlorine.

Chemical Properties

Magnesium has relatively strong reducibility and can react with boiling water to release hydrogen. It can produce dazzling white light when burned. Magnesium does not interact with fluoride, hydrofluoric acid and chromic acid, and is not affected by caustic alkali, but it is easily soluble in organic. And inorganic acids, magnesium can be directly combined with nitrogen, sulfur and halogens, organic chemicals including hydrocarbons, aldehydes, alcohols, phenols, amines, fats and most oils with magnesium only slightly or not at all. However, the reaction with halogenated hydrocarbons under anhydrous conditions is more severe. Magnesium can react with carbon dioxide, so magnesium burning cannot be extinguished with a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher. Magnesium reacts with N² and O², so when it burns in the air, it burns violently and emits a dazzling white light, which releases heat to form a white solid. The change in vinegar is that bubbles pop out quickly, floating on the surface of the vinegar and gradually disappearing.

Magnesium Probes

Intracellular Mg²⁺ is important for mediating enzymatic reactions, DNA synthesis, hormone secretion, and muscle contraction. To facilitate the study of the role of magnesium in these and other cellular functions, our fluorescent indicators are intended to provide ratio or intensity-based signals to stimulate the concentration of Mg²⁺ using ultraviolet or visible light excitation. BOC Sciences offers a range of water-soluble, high light stability probes (dye molecules, also known as fluorophores) that are sensitive to magnesium (II) aqueous solutions (Mg²⁺). Magnesium probes are very bright, easy to use and provide highly repeatable results. Our magnesium probes are available in standard vials and are suitable for almost all analytical forms such as cuvettes or microscopes.

Measurements using fluorescent Mg²⁺ indicators are more demanding than intracellular Ca²⁺ determination because the physiological changes in Mg²⁺ concentration are relatively small, but Mg²⁺ indicators are typically designed to maximally respond to the common Mg²⁺ in cells. Concentrations typically range from 0.1 mM to 6 mM.

References:

Bernath, P. F.; et al. The spectrum of magnesium hydride. Astrophysical Journal. 1985, 298: 375.
Housecroft, C. E, Simon C.; et al. Inorganic Chemistry 3rd. Prentice Hall. 2008: 305–06.

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