Boryl-substituted low-valent heavy group 14 compounds

Low valent group 14 compounds exhibit diverse structures and reactivities. The employment of diazaborolyl anions (NHB anions), isoelectronic analogues to N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), in group 14 chemistry leads to the exceptional structures and reactivity. The unique combination of sigma-electron donation and pronounced steric hindrance impart distinct structural characteristics to the NHB-substituted low valent group 14 compounds. Notably, the modulation of the HOMO-LUMO gap in these compounds with the diazaborolyl substituents results in novel reaction patterns in the activation of small molecules and inert chemical bonds. This review mainly summarizes the recent advances in NHB-substituted low-valent heavy Group 14 compounds, emphasizing their synthesis, structural characteristics and application to small molecule activation. This review focuses on the low-valent heavy group 14 compounds stabilized by N-heterocyclic boryl ligands and their applications in the activation of small molecules and inert chemical bonds.

Automated summary

Low valent group 14 compounds with diazaborolyl substituents exhibit unique structures and reactivity due to the combination of sigma-electron donation and steric hindrance. The modulation of the HOMO-LUMO gap by the diazaborolyl substituents results in novel reaction patterns in the activation of small molecules and inert chemical bonds.