The cluster also plays an active role in the deoxygenation step; the Mg4 tetrahedra can coordinate to and polarise the newly [C2H3O2] 3-fragment, leading to a unique deoxygenation step. Deoxygenation involves carbon-oxygen bond cleavage through flow of electrons from the periphery toward the centre of the cluster. The flexible coordination modes of the Mg4 unit and its ability to transition between m 3 and m 4 coordination environments likely facilitate this step.