Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl₂·6H₂O) is an inorganic salt, a hydrated form of magnesium chloride, that appears as white, odorless, crystalline solid and is highly soluble in water. It serves as a source of magnesium ions in medicine and biology, acts as a de-icing agent, is used in water treatment, and is explored as a potential phase change material for solar energy storage.Uses Magnesium chloride hexahydrate is a versatile compound used in many industries and applications: De-icing: Used to melt snow and ice on roads and walkways, lowering the freezing point of water. Dust control: Applied to unpaved roads and construction sites as a dust suppressant. Construction: Used in the production of magnesia cement, a hard, fire-resistant material known as Sorel cement. Medical and pharmaceutical: Used in intravenous (IV) solutions and for electrolyte therapy. Serves as a source of magnesium in mineral supplements. Used in saline laxatives and dialysis fluids. Food additive (E511): It is used as an emulsifier and firming agent in food products. Tofu production: Acts as a coagulant to curdle soy milk during the making of tofu. Chemical manufacturing: Serves as a raw material for producing other magnesium salts and magnesium metal. Laboratory use: Functions as a source of magnesium ions in biochemical and molecular biology experiments, such as PCR and cell culture. Agriculture: Used as a cotton defoliant.