Experimental electron density study of the Mg-Mg bonding character in a magnesium(I) dimer.

Experimental charge density modeling of a magnesium dimer complex and subsequent topological analysis reveals the existence of a chemical bond between the two central Mg atoms. Analysis of the molecular system using the energy density, the source function, and several density profiles along the entire bond path portrays the bond as one between two monovalent Mg atoms containing significant covalent character.