Di-tert-butylmagnesium:  Synthesis and Structure

The synthesis and structure characterization of ^tBu₂Mg is reported. The X-ray structure and variable-temperature ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra and the molecular weight measurements show that the title compound occurs as a dimer with a folded CMg(μ-C)₂MgC skeleton in the solid state and solution. A detailed inspection of the crystal structures of [^tBu₂Mg]₂ reveals that intra- and intermolecular CH₃···Mg agostic interactions play a substantial role in the molecular assembly.