Since the isolation of a Mg–Mg complex, research on low-oxidation-state s-block chemistry has flourished. An approach to forming metal–metal bonds between Mg and the heavier alkaline earth metals (Ca, Sr and Ba) is now demonstrated. The unusual electronic nature of these compounds could stimulate further discussions of metal–metal bonding.
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This is a summary of: Mai, J. et al. Heterobimetallic alkaline earth metal–metal bonding. Nat. Synth. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44160-023-00451-y (2023).
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Achieving unusual metal–metal bonding in the s-block. Nat. Synth 3, 299–300 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44160-023-00452-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44160-023-00452-x
