Raman spectroscopy was employed to assess the complex environment of magnesium salts in the,n-butyl-N-rnethylpyrrolidinium, bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMPyrTFSI)room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL). At room temperature, Mg(TFSI)(2) was miscible with BMPyrTFSI and formulated by [Mg(TFSI)(2)](x)[BMPyrTFSI](1-x) (x <= 0.55). Results Suggest that at low concentrations of Mg(TFSI)(2), anionic complexes in which Mg2+ is surrounded by at least four TFSI- were formed. Above x = 0.2 an average of three TFSI- surround each Mg2+. Below x = 0.12, there is a greater number of Monodentate interactions between TFSI- oxygen and Mg2+ cations, whereas above x = 0.12 bidentate ligands dominate. The fraction of TFSI- existing in the cis conformation increased with increasing Mg2+ concentration. Mg(ClO4)(2) was also studied as a Mg2+ source. At equivalent mole fractions to those of the Mg(TFSI)(2) salt, Mg2+ from Mg(ClO4)(2) was surrounded by only two TFSI- anions as ClO4- appeared to compete with TFSI- for coordination with Mg2+. Similar behavior was also observed for the less Soluble halide salts MgX2 (X = Cl, Br, I). Additions of chelating ligands were shown to effectively reduce the average;number of TFSI- around Mg2+ in,a manner consistent with maintaining a sixfold oxygen coordination number around Mg2+. Furthermore, an alternative class of ionic liquids, known as "solvate" ionic liquids, were produced. In this case glymes,(Gm, m + 1 ether oxygens) were mixed with Mg(TFSI)(2) so that glymes chelated Mg2+, creating Mg(Gm)(y)(2+) complexes, The general formula was given by Mg(Gm)(y)(TFSI)(2), These solvate ILs melt between 40 and 80 degrees C. Raman spectra clearly showed the glyme,chelating ability and stronger coordination with Mg2+ with respect to TFSI-. Finally, linear sweep voltammograms showed the anodic stability of the glymes to improve due to coordination with Mg2+.