2007-01-23 03:12:31 · 7 answers · asked by Ptolemy 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
MgCl2 is a typical ionic halide, being highly polar and soluble in water.
Here's more detail for you if you are interested:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_chloride
2007-01-23 03:19:30 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Dave P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Black and white answers are not always possible in Chemistry (otherwise it wouldn't be fun). In the solid MgCl2 adopts the CdCl2 structure that may be considered as cubic close packed Cl^- ions with the "Mg^2+" ions in all the octahedral holes of alternate layers. [1] Only weak van der Waals forces hold the metal-ion free layers together so these crystals are often flaky. Such a structure would be consistent with a purely ionic Mg^2+ 2Cl^- lattice but also a covalent lattice with polar Cl:Mg:Cl linkages. Given the polarizing power of the small Mg^2+ ion we would expect from Fajan's Rules (Wikipedia) that the Mg - Cl would have significant covalent character. We conclude that in the solid state MgCl2 has an extended lattice with polar covalent bonds. MgCl2 boils at 1412 °C (CRC Handbook 4-73) and in the gas phase it exists as linear Cl-Mg-Cl molecules consistent with VSEPR theory for an AX2. [2] So it the gas phase MgCl2 in molecular. [1] A. F. Wells, Structural Inorganic Chemistry 5th ed (1993) p 168, 413; C. E. Housecroft, A. G. Sharpe, Inorganic Chemistry 3rd ed p 170. [2] N. N. Greenwood, A. Earnshaw, Chemistry of the Elements 2nd ed. (1997) p 117
2016-05-24 00:52:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its not a molecule but a representation of the ionic MgCl2 lattice.
2007-01-23 03:26:03 · answer #3 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Magnesium chloride is composed of magnesium and chlorine and is a typical ionic halide, being highly polar and soluble in water. It is a weak Lewis acid, so not surprisingly the hexahydrate can undergo partial hydrolysis when heated. Magnesium chloride can be extracted from brine or sea water, and is a commonly used source of magnesium metal, which can be extracted from MgCl2 using electrolysis. In 1990, US production was around one million tonnes, with a bulk price around $180 per tonne.
2007-01-23 04:05:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a molecule formed by the ionic bonding of one Magnesium ion (Mg [2+]) and two Chloride ions (Cl [1-])
2007-01-23 04:09:01 · answer #5 · answered by CHESSLARUS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an ionic compound.
2007-01-27 01:00:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ionic compound.
2007-01-23 07:28:50 · answer #7 · answered by ♥♪♫Priya_akki™♫♪♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋