The invention and development of new chemical vapor deposition precursors is key to improving the performance of microelectronic devices and protective and optical coatings. The cover art shows the synthesis of new magnesium compounds of the octahydrotriborate ion B3H8-, which have volatilities rivaling those of the most volatile magnesium compounds known. The optical micrograph shows crystals of Mg(B3H8)2(OEt2)2 that sublimed in vacuum at the remarkably low temperature of 70 ° C. For more details, see publication #168 in the Girolami publication list.