The emergence of zerovalent carbon compounds from structural curiosities to organocatalysts

Low-valent main group compounds have reactivity patterns and properties reminiscent of transition metals. While divalent carbon compounds such as carbenes are widely studied ligands and organo-catalysts, zerovalent carbon species have received considerably less attention. This perspective highlights the properties and reactivity of zerovalent carbon compounds, focusing on their first applications as organocatalysts for small molecule reduction and polymerization reactions.

Automated summary

This article discusses the reactivity patterns and properties of low-valent main group compounds, which are reminiscent of transition metals. However, much less attention has been given to zerovalent carbon species compared to widely studied divalent carbon compounds such as carbenes. The article highlights the properties and reactivity of zerovalent carbon compounds, with a focus on their first applications as organocatalysts for small molecule reduction and polymerization reactions.