The oxidation state in low-valent beryllium and magnesium compounds

This article examines the electronic structure of group 2 (E = Be and Mg) ligand stabilized compounds. We elaborate on the donor–acceptor interaction L(0) ⇆ E(0) ⇆ L(0) and diradical L(−1) → E(+2) ← L(−1) pictures to assess the oxidation state of the metal.