Magnesium Suboxide

During the electrolysis of magnesium and potassium chlorides in a graphite crucible, Frary and Berman obtained a dark substance which oxidised rapidly and evolved hydrogen from water. Beetz had noted a similar compound on the positive pole when sodium chloride solution was electrolysed between magnesium electrodes, and Gore had observed a black deposit when magnesium was in contact with palladium, water, and carbon tetrachloride vapour, and under other conditions. The powder went white on heating, dissolved in dilute acids, and probably dissolved in alkaline sulphides.

Baborovsky concluded that the electrolytically produced " suboxide " was a mixture of hydroxide and finely divided metal.