S-block compounds with low oxidation states can be short lived. There are various techniques available for use. However, the generation and detection of these molecules rely on frozen inert gas matrices, low pressures, high temperatures in the gas phase, or a combination of these. This can then be combined with theoretical studies to gain more information regarding the complex. Matrix isolation techniques were carried out for gaining spectroscopic insight on how the Mg(I) dimer may behave.
By heating magnesium diboride, MgB, at 700 Celsius (°C) with a pressure of 0.1 mbar,  and passing HCl gas over it several products are formed, such as magnesium chloride, MgCl. The generation of •MgCl and subsequent compounds from the reaction then underwent further study. At 10 Kelvin (K), the solution was combined with an inert gas, undergoing IR and Raman spectroscopic techniques, combined with Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. This showed the monomeric and dimeric Mg(I) Halides, •MgCl and ClMgMgCl, a linear molecule. While these studies were useful in gaining more insight on the Mg-Mg bond characteristics, it failed to yield a stable Mg(I) dimer in ambient conditions.