ABSTRACT
Chemical properties Magnesium is the second member of the Group 2 alkali metals (Section A1). All members of this group are reactive and therefore rarely found as the pure metals. When pure magnesium atoms are arranged around each other in a hexagonal pattern, the overall appearance of the metal is silvery. The Group 2 metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. In contrast to the majority of transition metals, magnesium displays only one oxidation state, +2. Magnesium is commonly found as the oxide; this has a melting point of 2800∞C and is an industrially important compound (it is used in the linings of steel furnaces!). Magnesium is also found as a carbonate, a sparingly soluble solid which on heating decomposes to form the oxide with release of carbon dioxide. Magnesium hydroxide, like the oxide, is a very strong base that will neutralize acids and displace ammonia from ammonium salts.
