Molecular dynamics simulations in slab geometry and surface tension measurements were performed for aqueous solutions of magnesium acetate and magnesium nitrate at various concentrations. The simulations reveal a strong affinity of acetate anions for the surface, while nitrate exhibits only a very weak surface propensity, and magnesium is per se strongly repelled from the air/water interface. CH3COO- also exhibits a much stronger tendency than NO3- for ion pairing with Mg2+ in the bulk and particularly in the interfacial layer. The different interfacial behavior of the two anions is reflected by the opposite concentration dependence (beyond 0.5 M) of surface tension of the corresponding magnesium salts. Measurements, supported by simulations, show that the surface tension of Mg(NO3)2(aq) increases with concentration as for other inorganic salts. However, in the case of Mg(OAc)2(aq) the surface tension isotherm exhibits a turnover around 0.5 M, after which it starts to decrease, indicating a positive net solute excess in the interfacial layer at higher concentrations.

The ultrasonic velocities, densities, viscosities, and electrical conductivities of aqueous solutions of magnesium nitrate and magnesium acetate have been measured from dilute to saturation concentrations at 0 < or = t/degrees C < or = 50. The temperature derivative of the isentropic compressibility, kappa(s), became zero at 2.28 and 2.90 mol kg(-1) for Mg(OAc)2 and Mg(NO3)2 solutions, respectively, at 25 degrees C. The total hydration numbers of the dissolved ions were estimated to be, respectively, 24.3 and 19.2 at these concentrations. Differences in kappa(s) for various M2+ salts, using the present and literature data, correlated with reported M2+-OH2 bond lengths and to a lesser extent with cationic charge densities (ionic radii). The influence of anions on kappa(s) appears to follow the Hofmeister series and also correlates approximately with the anionic charge density. Substantial differences between Mg(OAc)2(aq) and Mg(NO3)2(aq) occur with respect to their structural relaxation times (derived from compressibility and viscosity data) and their electrical conductivities. These differences were attributed to a much greater ion association in Mg(OAc)2 solutions. Raman spectra recorded at 28 degrees C confirmed the presence of various types of contact ion pairs including mono- and bidentate complexes in Mg(OAc)2(aq). In Mg(NO3)2(aq), only noncontact ion pairs appear to be formed even at high concentrations. The experimental results are supported by molecular dynamics simulations, which also reveal the much stronger tendency of OAc- compared to NO3- to associate with Mg2+ in aqueous solutions. The simulations also allow an evaluation of the ion-ion and ion-water radial distribution functions and cumulative sums and provide a molecular picture of ion hydration in Mg(OAc)2(aq) and Mg(NO3)2(aq) at varying concentrations.