“…However, no pathway from these to ethenediolate or cyclopropanetriolate compounds was found. Instead, calculations suggest that 5 and 6 are formed by very similar mechanisms to those proposed for the synthesis of f-block ethenediolate complexes (Figure , see SI for full reaction pathways). ,,, That is, the magnesium hydride dimers 3 and 4 react with one molecule of CO to give transient κ 2 -C,O-formyl complexes, e.g., VI (from 3 ), the C–O bonds of which insert into the Mg–H bond of magnesium hydride fragments, e.g., IV (from 3 ), to give bridged oxomethylene compounds, e.g., VIII (from 3 ). A second molecule of CO inserts into one Mg–C bond of the oxomethylene compounds, and subsequent 1,2-hydrogen migrations within the coordinated C 2 H 2 O 2 fragments occur to give the magnesium ethenediolate chelate complexes, 5 and 5 Dep .…”