Main group cyanides: from hydrogen cyanide to cyanido-complexes

Homoleptic cyanide compounds exist of almost all main group elements. While the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals form cyanide salts, the cyanides of the lighter main group elements occur mainly as covalent compounds. This review gives an overview of the status quo of main group element cyanides and cyanido complexes. Information about syntheses are included as well as applications, special substance properties, bond lengths, spectroscopic characteristics and computations. Cyanide chemistry is presented mainly from the field of inorganic chemistry, but aspects of chemical biology and astrophysics are also discussed in relation to cyano compounds.

Automated summary

This review provides an overview of the current status of main group element cyanides and cyanido complexes, including their syntheses, applications, special substance properties, bond lengths, spectroscopic characteristics, and computations. It mainly focuses on cyanide chemistry in the field of inorganic chemistry, while also discussing aspects of chemical biology and astrophysics related to cyano compounds.