Magnesium chloride [Chemical formula, Physical, Chemical Properties and Reactions]

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: February 3, 2024

Chemical formula of magnesium chloride is MgCl2.

Physical Properties of Magnesium Chloride:

Properties Details
Appearance White crystalline solid
Boiling Point 1,412 °C (2,574 °F)
Chemical Formula MgCl2
Crystal Structure Hexagonal or monoclinic
Density 2.32 g/cm3
Hygroscopicity Hygroscopic (tends to absorb moisture from the atmosphere)
Melting Point 714 °C (1,317 °F)
Odor Odorless
pH Level Moderately acidic (around 6.5)
Physical State Solid
Solubility in Water Highly soluble

 Chemical Properties of Magnesium Chloride:

Properties Details
Chemical Formula MgCl2
Combustibility Non-combustible
Conductivity Good conductor of electricity when dissolved in water
Corrosiveness Can be corrosive to certain materials and metals
Ionic Character Highly ionic
Oxidation States Magnesium can exhibit +2 oxidation state
pH Level (in Solution) Acidic (lower pH when dissolved in water)
Reaction with Acids Reacts with acids, releasing hydrogen gas
Reaction with Bases Forms magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) with strong bases
Reaction with Metals Can react with certain metals, displacing less reactive ones
Reactivity with Water Reacts exothermically, forming hydrochloric acid (HCl)

Reaction of magnesium chloride

Alkali Metal

Alkali Metal Reaction with Magnesium Chloride Products
Lithium MgCl2 + 2Li   → 2LiCl + Mg Lithium chloride
Sodium MgCl2 + 2Na   → 2NaCl + Mg Sodium chloride
Potassium MgCl2 + 2K   → 2KCl + Mg Potassium chloride  
Rubidium MgCl2 + 2Rb   → 2RbCl + Mg Rubidium chloride
Cesium MgCl2 + 2Cs   → 2CsCl + Mg Cesium chloride
Francium MgCl2 + 2Fr   → 2FrCl + Mg Francium chloride

 

Alkaline Earth Metal Reaction with Magnesium Chloride Products
Beryllium MgCl2 + Be   → BeCl2 + Mg Beryllium chloride
Magnesium No reaction No reaction
Calcium MgCl2 + Ca   → CaCl2 + Mg Calcium chloride
Strontium MgCl2 + Sr   → SrCl2 + Mg Strontium chloride
Barium MgCl2 + Ba   → BaCl2 + Mg Barium chloride
Radium MgCl2 + Ra   → RaCl2 + Mg Radium chloride  (unstable)

 

 

Transition Metal Reaction with Magnesium Chloride Products
Iron (Fe) MgCl2 + Fe   → FeCl2 + Mg Iron(II) chloride
Copper (Cu) MgCl2 + Cu   →no result  nill(copper is less reactive than magnesium)
Zinc (Zn) MgCl2 + Zn   → ZnCl2 + Mg Zinc chloride
Nickel (Ni) MgCl2 + Ni   →no result  nill
Cobalt (Co) MgCl2 + Co   →no result  nill

 

 

Non-Transition Metal Reaction with Magnesium Chloride Products
Aluminum (Al) MgCl2 + 2Al   → 2AlCl3 + Mg Aluminum chloride
Tin (Sn) MgCl2 + Sn   → SnCl2 + Mg Tin(II) chloride
Lead (Pb) MgCl2 + Pb   → PbCl2 + Mg Lead(II) chloride
Silicon (Si) MgCl2 + Si   →no result  nill
Carbon (C) MgCl2 + C   →no result  nill

 

 

Non-Metal Reaction with Magnesium Chloride Products
Hydrogen MgCl2 + 2HCl   → MgCl2 + H2 Hydrogen gas  ,magnesium chloride
Oxygen 2MgCl2 + O2   → 2MgO + 2Cl2 Magnesium oxide  ,chlorine gas
Nitrogen MgCl2 + 2NH3   → Mg(NH3)2 + 2HCl Magnesium amide  ,hydrogen chloride
Sulfur MgCl2 + H2S   → MgS + 2HCl Magnesium sulfide  ,hydrogen chloride
Carbon MgCl2 + C2H2   →no result  nill(acetylene is less reactive than magnesium)

 

 

Metalloid Reaction with Magnesium Chloride Products
Boron MgCl2 + B   →no result  nill(boron is less reactive than magnesium)
Silicon MgCl2 + Si   →no result  nill(silicon is less reactive than magnesium)
Germanium MgCl2 + Ge   →no result  nill(germanium is less reactive than magnesium)
Arsenic MgCl2 + As   →no result  nill(arsenic is less reactive than magnesium)
Antimony MgCl2 + Sb   →no result  nill(antimony is less reactive than magnesium)

 

 

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