Title: Magnesium Hydride

CAS Registry Number: 60616-74-2

Molecular Formula: H2Mg

Molecular Weight: 26.32

Percent Composition: H 7.66%, Mg 92.34%

Literature References: Prepd by thermal decompn of diethylmagnesium at 200° in high vacuum: Wiberg, Bauer, Ber. 85, 593 (1952); from the elements: Ellinger et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 77, 2647 (1955).

Properties: White, nonvolatile mass or tetragonal crystals. d 1.45. Dec at 280° in high vacuum. Strong reducing agent. Ignites spontaneously on contact with air, forming MgO and H2O. On contact with water a violent evolution of hydrogen takes place. On contact with methanol, magnesium alcoholate and hydrogen are formed. Forms double hydrides with boron hydride and aluminum hydride.

Density: d 1.45