A whitish to gray crystalline solid. Denser than water. Contact may irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Used to make other chemicals.
Highly flammable. Soluble in water. May spontaneously ignite upon exposure to air. Dialkyl derivatives of magnesium have been known to explode on contact with water and will glow and catch fire even in atmosphere of carbon dioxide [Merck 11th ed. 1989].
Hydrides, such as Magnesium diphenyl, are reducing agents and react rapidly and dangerously with oxygen and with other oxidizing agents, even weak ones. Thus, they are likely to ignite on contact with alcohols. Hydrides are incompatible with acids, alcohols, amines, and aldehydes.
Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Inhalation of decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.
Flammable/combustible material. May ignite on contact with moist air or moisture. May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated.
