Molecular Heterobimetallic Approach to Li-Containing MgO Nanoparticles with Variable Li-Concentrations Using Lithium-Methylmagnesium Alkoxide Clusters

Facile synthesis and characterization of the first heterobimetallic lithium-methylmagnesium-alkoxide clusters [Li(thf)(MeMg)3(μ3-OR)4] (R = iPr (1a), tBu (1b), CyHex (1c)) having a cubane-shaped LiMg3O4 core is reported. They have been employed as molecular single-source precursors for “bottom up” synthesis of Li-containing MgO nanoparticles with varying Li-concentrations. This can be achieved by solid state decomposition of homogeneous mixtures of the latter compounds (1a−c) with the corresponding homometallic alkylmagnesium alkoxide cubanes [MeMg(μ3-OR)]4 (R = iPr (2a), tBu (2b), CyHex (2c)). Characterization of the final obtained materials was accomplished by a combination of different analytical techniques such as TGA, PXRD, TEM, Raman spectroscopy, 7Li MAS NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and nitrogen adsorption. The different parameters that affect the composition and morphology of the Li-containing MgO nanoparticles have been examined. It has been found that Li concentrations up to 1 wt % lead...