Organometallic Compounds of Low–Coordinate Si, Ge, Sn and Pb: From Phantom Species to Stable Compounds

Until recently the low–coordinate compounds of the heavy elements of group 14 were known only as transient, unstable species which were difficult to isolate. However recent developments have led to the stabilization of these compounds and today many have been prepared as stable, highly reactive, fully characterizable and readily available organometallic reagents. Organometallic Compounds of Low–Coordinate Si, Ge, Sn and Pb describes the synthesis, structure, reactions and synthetic applications of heavy group 14 element cations, radicals, anions, carbene analogues, alkene, diene and alkyne analogues, and aromatics. An emphasis is placed on their major similarities and differences with the analogous species in organic chemistry. Organometallic Compounds of Low–Coordinate Si, Ge, Sn and Pb is an essential guide to this emerging class of organometallic reagents for researchers and students in main group, organometallic, synthetic and silicon chemistry.