The structure of the crystal solvate of magnesium methoxide with methanol, Mg(OMe)(2)center dot 3.5MeOH

The X-ray diffraction study of the crystals deposited from the solution obtained by the reaction of magnesium with methanol allowed the formulation of the product as Mg(OMe)(2) . 3.5MeOH (I). Its structure is built of the residues of four types, namely cubane [Mg-4(mu(3)-OR)(4)(OR)(4)(ROH)(8)] neutral molecules, [Mg-4(mu(3)-OR)(4)(OR)(2)(ROH)(10)](2+) cations, [(RO)(2)H](-) anions (R = Me) and eight crystallographically independent noncoordinated solvating methanol molecules. All residues are linked into a three-dimensional framework by means of a complicated hydrogen-bonding system. The crystal structure provides the basis for discussion of the possible mechanism of desolvation of I. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd