Chemical Properties of Strontium

Strontium is more electropositive than calcium, but may be less so at higher temperatures. It tarnishes almost immediately on exposure to the air. When finely powdered it ignites spontaneously, producing the oxide and nitride, and it burns in oxygen with a dazzling red flame. It is readily attacked by the halogens, by hydrochloric acid and sulphuretted hydrogen gases, and by phosphorus, arsenic, and sulphur vapours. At a bright red heat it unites with tin and carbon. It readily decomposes water, methyl and ethyl alcohols, and aniline, giving hydrogen, but does not affect dry ether or hydrocarbons. It reacts with carbon dioxide at red heat, forming strontium carbide and oxide. It dissolves in liquid ammonia, and at a sufficiently high temperature it absorbs hydrogen and nitrogen.