[Mg(XeF(2))(n)()](AsF(6))(2) (n = 4, 2): first compounds of magnesium with XeF(2).

The reaction between Mg(AsF(6))(2) and XeF(2) in anhydrous HF (aHF) at room temperature yields two compounds with XeF(2) bonded directly to the Mg(2+) cation: [Mg(XeF(2))(4)](AsF(6))(2); [Mg(XeF(2))(2)](AsF(6))(2). The 1:4 compound is obtained with excess XeF(2) while the 1:2 compound is prepared from stoichiometric amounts of Mg(AsF(6))(2) and XeF(2). [Mg(XeF(2))(4)](AsF(6))(2) crystallizes in an orthorhombic crystal system, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with a = 8.698(15) A, b = 14.517(15) A, c = 15.344(16) A, V = 1937(4) A(3), and Z = 4. The octahedral coordination sphere of Mg consists of one fluorine atom from each of the four XeF(2) molecules and two fluorine atoms from the two AsF(6) units. [Mg(XeF(2))(2)](AsF(6))(2) crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system, space group Pbam, with a = 8.9767(10) A, b = 15.1687(18) A, c = 5.3202(6) A, V = 724.42(14) A(3), and Z = 2. The octahedral coordination sphere consists of two fluorine atoms, one from each of the two XeF(2) molecules and four fluorine atoms from the four bridging AsF(6) units.