The coordination chemistry of magnesium (Mg2+) was extensively explored. More recently; magnesium; which plays a role in over 80% of metabolic functions and governs over 350 enzymatic processes; is becoming increasingly linked to chronic disease-predominantly due to magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemia). Supplemental dietary magnesium utilizing biorelevant chelate ligands is a proven method for counteracting hypomagnesemia. However, the coordination chemistry of such bio-relevant magnesium complexes is yet to be extensively explored or elucidated. It is the aim of this review to comprehensively describe what is currently known about common bio-relevant magnesium complexes from the perspective of coordination chemistry.
Keywords: chelates; coordination chemistry; hypomagnesemia; magnesium; nutraceuticals.