Question

Is magnesium reactive?

Answer 1

As metals go, magnesium is very reactive.

Explanation:

Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal, and will be oxidized fairly readily.

`Mg(s) +1/2O_2(g) rarr MgO(s)`

In fact the old volkswagen beetle engines had magnesium metal casings, which were great for mass but disastrous results ensued when someone tried to weld something on the casing.

Magnesium metal also reacts with hydrocarbyl halides under certain conditions to give the so-called `"Grignard reagent"`, which is a staple of organic synthesis:

`R-X + Mg rarr R^(delta-)-MgX^(delta+)`