Enhanced oxidative stability of non-Grignard magnesium electrolytes through ligand modification.

A series of non-Grignard Mg-electrolytes with various para-substituents was synthesized starting from commercially-available phenols. More electron-withdrawing substituents shift the anodic stability of the electrolyte by 400 mV. The p-CF3 substituted phenol exhibits the highest stability of 2.9 V vs. Mg(2+/0), and cycles reversibly with the Chevrel-phase Mo6S8 Mg-ion cathode.