Chemistry of aluminium(I)

In this article, we discuss the synthesis of tetrameric and monomeric aluminium(I) compounds. These compounds are prepared by reduction of the respective Al-X (X = halide) bond containing precursor. The tetrameric aluminium(I) compounds are synthesized by using sterically bulky ligands whereas a stable monomeric aluminium(I) compound is obtained using a monovalent chelating ligand. Theoretical studies are carried out on the monomer to understand the Lewis basicity. The presence of a lone pair of electrons plays an important role in the preparation of aluminium containing heterocyclic compounds, main group-main group and transition metal-main group compounds having donor-acceptor bonds by carrying out reactions with unsaturated compounds and Lewis acids.