The rapid determination of water of hydration in magnesium perchlorate desiccant

The efficiency of “anhydrous” magnesium perchlorate as a desiccant, and its capacity in absorption of water vapour, ammonia gas, alcohol vapour, and other highly volatile organic vapours, is dependent upon the extent to which its water of hydration is removed in preparation for commercial distribution. American Chemical Society “Reagent Chemicals” specifications call for not more than 10% water as a maximum tolerance. The product is, by intent, not ordinarily manufactured for distribution in the completely dehydrated form and regularly contains approximately 5% unremoved water of hydration. This is the regular practice to insure a less friable granular structure than would result from complete dehydration. The method here described for the determination of its water content is rapid in application, sufficiently accurate for all practical demand, and requires very simple apparatus and manipulative details.