The potential adverse effects of Mg2 ions are threefold.
First, direct interaction with carboxylate ions can occur,
producing insoluble, unhydrated, un-ionized magnesium
soaps. Second, the insoluble magnesium hydroxide
may precipitate in the aqueous phase. Both these actions
invariably cause destabilization of latex, removal of the
carboxylate ions from the protective layer of the latex by
the former and adsorption of the latex stabilizer that
forms an insoluble precipitate by the latter. Third, magnesium
ions can form primary valence linkages between
the surfaces of two adjacent latex particles instead of
reacting with two free carboxylate ions.1 This can act as
an initiation point for flocculation