Effects of Glymes on the Distribution of Mg(B 10 H 10 ) and Mg(B 12 H 12 ) from the Thermolysis of Mg(BH 4 ) 2
We examined the effects of concentrations and identities of various glymes, from monoglyme up to tetraglyme, on H 2 release from the thermolysis of Mg(BH 4 ) 2 at 160–200 °C for 8 h. 11 B NMR analysis shows major products of Mg(B 10 H 10 ) and Mg(B 12 H 12 ); however, their relative ratio is highly dependent both on the identity and concentration of the glyme to Mg(BH 4 ) 2 . Selective formation of Mg(B 10 H 10 ) was observed with an equivalent of monoglyme and 0.25 equivalent of tetraglyme. However, thermolysis of Mg(BH 4 ) 2 in the presence of stoichiometric or greater equivalent of glymes can lead to unselective formation of Mg(B 10 H 10 ) and Mg(B 12 H 12 ) products or inhibition of H 2 release.