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

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

Chemical formula of magnesium chloride is MgCl2.

Physical Properties of Magnesium Chloride:

Properties Details
AppearanceWhite crystalline solid
Boiling Point1,412 °C (2,574 °F)
Chemical FormulaMgCl2
Crystal StructureHexagonal or monoclinic
Density2.32 g/cm3
HygroscopicityHygroscopic (tends to absorb moisture from the atmosphere)
Melting Point714 °C (1,317 °F)
OdorOdorless
pH LevelModerately acidic (around 6.5)
Physical StateSolid
Solubility in WaterHighly soluble

 Chemical Properties of Magnesium Chloride:

Properties Details
Chemical FormulaMgCl2
CombustibilityNon-combustible
ConductivityGood conductor of electricity when dissolved in water
CorrosivenessCan be corrosive to certain materials and metals
Ionic CharacterHighly ionic
Oxidation StatesMagnesium can exhibit +2 oxidation state
pH Level (in Solution)Acidic (lower pH when dissolved in water)
Reaction with AcidsReacts with acids, releasing hydrogen gas
Reaction with BasesForms magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) with strong bases
Reaction with MetalsCan react with certain metals, displacing less reactive ones
Reactivity with WaterReacts exothermically, forming hydrochloric acid (HCl)

Reaction of magnesium chloride

Alkali Metal

Alkali MetalReaction with Magnesium ChlorideProducts
LithiumMgCl2 + 2Li   → 2LiCl + MgLithium chloride
SodiumMgCl2 + 2Na   → 2NaCl + MgSodium chloride
PotassiumMgCl2 + 2K   → 2KCl + MgPotassium chloride  
RubidiumMgCl2 + 2Rb   → 2RbCl + MgRubidium chloride
CesiumMgCl2 + 2Cs   → 2CsCl + MgCesium chloride
FranciumMgCl2 + 2Fr   → 2FrCl + MgFrancium chloride

 

Alkaline Earth MetalReaction with Magnesium ChlorideProducts
BerylliumMgCl2 + Be   → BeCl2 + MgBeryllium chloride
MagnesiumNo reactionNo reaction
CalciumMgCl2 + Ca   → CaCl2 + MgCalcium chloride
StrontiumMgCl2 + Sr   → SrCl2 + MgStrontium chloride
BariumMgCl2 + Ba   → BaCl2 + MgBarium chloride
RadiumMgCl2 + Ra   → RaCl2 + MgRadium chloride  (unstable)

 

 

Transition MetalReaction with Magnesium ChlorideProducts
Iron (Fe)MgCl2 + Fe   → FeCl2 + MgIron(II) chloride
Copper (Cu)MgCl2 + Cu   →no result nill(copper is less reactive than magnesium)
Zinc (Zn)MgCl2 + Zn   → ZnCl2 + MgZinc chloride
Nickel (Ni)MgCl2 + Ni   →no result nill
Cobalt (Co)MgCl2 + Co   →no result nill

 

 

Non-Transition MetalReaction with Magnesium ChlorideProducts
Aluminum (Al)MgCl2 + 2Al   → 2AlCl3 + MgAluminum chloride
Tin (Sn)MgCl2 + Sn   → SnCl2 + MgTin(II) chloride
Lead (Pb)MgCl2 + Pb   → PbCl2 + MgLead(II) chloride
Silicon (Si)MgCl2 + Si   →no result nill
Carbon (C)MgCl2 + C   →no result nill

 

 

Non-MetalReaction with Magnesium ChlorideProducts
HydrogenMgCl2 + 2HCl   → MgCl2 + H2Hydrogen gas  ,magnesium chloride
Oxygen2MgCl2 + O2   → 2MgO + 2Cl2Magnesium oxide  ,chlorine gas
NitrogenMgCl2 + 2NH3   → Mg(NH3)2 + 2HClMagnesium amide  ,hydrogen chloride
SulfurMgCl2 + H2S   → MgS + 2HClMagnesium sulfide  ,hydrogen chloride
CarbonMgCl2 + C2H2   →no result nill(acetylene is less reactive than magnesium)

 

 

MetalloidReaction with Magnesium ChlorideProducts
BoronMgCl2 + B   →no result nill(boron is less reactive than magnesium)
SiliconMgCl2 + Si   →no result nill(silicon is less reactive than magnesium)
GermaniumMgCl2 + Ge   →no result nill(germanium is less reactive than magnesium)
ArsenicMgCl2 + As   →no result nill(arsenic is less reactive than magnesium)
AntimonyMgCl2 + Sb   →no result nill(antimony is less reactive than magnesium)