{ n BuMg(O R )} 2 and {Mg(O R ) 2 } 2 ( R = 2, 4, 6‐ t Bu 3 C 6 H 2 ) – Sterically Congested Magnesium Alcoholates

Reaction of 2, 4, 6‐tri‐ tert ‐butylphenol ( 1 ) with di‐ n ‐butylmagnesium in the molar ratio 1:1 allows the synthesis of {( n Bu)Mg( μ ‐O R ) 2 Mg( n Bu)} ( 2 ) ( R = 2, 4, 6‐ t Bu 3 C 6 H 2 ), which reacts with excess 1 to give the homoleptic alcoholate complex {( R O)Mg(μ‐O R ) 2 Mg(O R )} ( 3 ) ( R = 2, 4, 6‐ t Bu 3 C 6 H 2 ). The structures of 2 and 3 were determined by X‐ray crystallography.