Possible dissolution pathways participating in the Mg corrosion reaction

•The Mg corrosion reaction was considered in terms of possible elementary reaction steps.•The uni-positive Mg+ electrochemical reaction sequence is thermodynamically favoured.•There are a number of possible additional dissolution pathways.•It is impossible to determine the reaction mechanism conclusively.

The Mg corrosion reaction sequence was considered in terms of possible elementary reaction steps, and their plausibility in relation to their thermodynamic status. The uni-positive Mg+ reaction sequence is thermodynamically favoured, and can occur by a number of elementary steps. There are a number of possible dissolution reactions (which are defined are reactions which contribute no electrons to the corroding Mg electrode). It is impossible at this stage to conclusively determine the reaction mechanism without knowledge of the species present at the magnesium–water interface.