A Complex Containing Four Magnesium Atoms and Two Mg-Mg Bonds Behaving as an Electride

Herein, we report for the first time the stabilization of two Mg(I)-Mg(I) bonds simultaneously in the same complex. The beta-diketeminate based ligand is modified computationally and a new class of ligand, L-Dipp(H) (Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) is designed that can hold two Mg atoms. Two such ligands stabilize two Mg-2(2+) ions in a planar configuration and [Mg-4(L-Dipp(H))(2)](2-) complex is formed. Formation of a synthetically viable neutral [Mg-4(L-Dipp(H))(2)](2-)center dot 2[K@CE](+) (CE = 18-crown-6 ether) complex is possible with the reduction of a proper precursor-like [Mg-2(L-Dipp(H))I-2](-) with potassium metals in toluene solvent and the reaction is exothermic in nature. The computed Mg-Mg bond lengths are in close agreement with that of the Mg-Mg single bond. The results obtained from natural bond orbital (NBO) and atoms in molecule (AIM) analyses confirm the presence of two Mg-Mg bonds in the complex. The complex under study has fulfilled all of the desired criteria and proved itself to be termed as an electride