linguistic:translation, structural:scholar_edition
Representative reactions of alkaline earth metals

Reaction with halogens

Anhydrous calcium chloride is a hygroscopic substance that is used as a desiccant. Exposed to air, it will absorb water vapour from the air, forming a solution. This property is known as deliquescence.

Reaction with oxygen

Reaction with sulfur

Reaction with carbon

With carbon, they form acetylides directly. Beryllium forms carbide.

Reaction with nitrogen

Only Be and Mg form nitrides directly.

Reaction with hydrogen

Alkaline earth metals react with hydrogen to generate saline hydride that are unstable in water.

Reaction with water

Ca Sr and Ba readily react with water to form hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Be and Mg are passivated by an impervious layer of oxide. However, amalgamated magnesium will react with water vapor.

Reaction with acidic oxides

Alkaline earth metals reduce the nonmetal from its oxide.

Reaction with acids

Reaction with bases

Be exhibits amphoteric properties. It dissolves in concentrated sodium hydroxide.

Reaction with alkyl halides

Magnesium reacts with alkyl halides via an insertion reaction to generate Grignard reagents.