Magnesium intercalated vanadium oxide xerogels, Mg0.1V2O5 center dot 2.35H(2)O and Mg0.2V2O5 center dot 2.46H(2)O were synthesized using an ion removal sol gel strategy. X-ray diffraction indicated lamellar ordering with turbostratic character. X-ray absorption spectroscopy indicated greater distortion of the vanadium-oxygen coordination environment in Mg0.2V2O5 center dot 2.46H(2)O. Elemental analysis after cycling in Li+ or Mg2+ based electrolytes revealed the magnesium content was unchanged, indicating structural Mg2+ are retained. The Mg0.1V2O5 center dot 2.35H(2)O material displayed high voltage, energy density, and discharge/charge efficiency, indicating promise as a cathode material for future magnesium based batteries. (C) The Author(s) 2016. Published by ECS. All rights reserved.