Highly soluble alkoxide magnesium salts for rechargeable magnesium batteries

A unique class of air-stable and non-pyrophoric magnesium electrolytes has been developed based on alkoxide magnesium compounds. The crystals obtained from this class of electrolytes exhibit a unique structure of tri-magnesium cluster, [Mg3Cl3(OR)(2)(THF)(6)](+) [(THF)MgCl3](-). High reversible capacities and good rate capabilities have been obtained in Mg-Mo6S8 batteries using these new electrolytes at both 20 and 50 degrees C.