At lower temperatures:
* Dehydration: MgCl₂·xH₂O (hydrated magnesium chloride) will lose its water of hydration, forming anhydrous MgCl₂.
* MgCl₂·xH₂O → MgCl₂ + xH₂O
At higher temperatures:
* Decomposition: Anhydrous MgCl₂ is relatively stable, but at very high temperatures (above 1412°C), it starts to decompose into magnesium metal and chlorine gas.
* MgCl₂ → Mg + Cl₂
Important Note: The decomposition of magnesium chloride requires very high temperatures and is not a common occurrence. It's important to remember that in typical laboratory or industrial settings, heating magnesium chloride is mainly used for dehydration.
Let me know if you'd like more details on any of these reactions!
