Organic derivatives of Mg(BH4)2 as precursors towards MgB2 and novel inorganic mixed-cation borohydrides

A series of organic derivatives of magnesium borohydride, including Mg(BH4)(2)center dot 1.5DME (DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) and Mg(BH4)(2)center dot 3THF (THF = tetrahydrofuran) solvates and three mixed-cation borohydrides, [Cat](2)[Mg(BH4)(4)], [Cat] = [Me4N], [nBu(4)N], [Ph4P], have been characterized. The phosphonium derivative has been tested as a precursor for synthesis of inorganic mixed-metal borohydrides of magnesium, M-x[Mg(BH4)(2+x)], M = Li-Cs, via a metathetic method. The synthetic procedure has yielded two new derivatives of heavier alkali metals M3Mg(BH4)(5) (M = Rb, Cs) mixed with amorphous Mg(BH4)(2). Thermal decomposition has been studied for both the organic and inorganic magnesium borohydride derivatives. Amorphous MgB2 has been detected among the products of the thermal decomposition of the solvates studied, together with organic and inorganic impurities.