The preparation of finely divided metal powders and transition metal complexes using organically solvated magnesium

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(93)83004-F

Treatment of commercial magnesium powder in THF with a small amount of anthracene generates a highly active form of magnesium (Mg^*).The Mg^* is an excellent in situ reducing agent for transition metal salts, giving highly reactive metal powders of Groups 8-12.In the presence of electron donor ligands, this reduction provides a useful one-step route to organotransition metal complexes.The application of 35 kHz ultrasound during the reaction improves the dispersity of the metal powders and enhances the yields of the complexes.