Chalcogenocarboranes: A family of multifaceted sterically demanding ligands

This review covers the synthesis of chalcogeno carborane ligands, structures and their metal complexes. The chemistry of these ligands with main group, transition and f-block elements is included. The structural aspects of the metal complexes are summarized in tabular form while the reactivity with neutral donor ligands and unsaturated substrates like acetylenes and azides is discussed. Applications of the metal complexes as anticancer agents as well as precursors for the synthesis of metal chalcogenides are discussed in the respective sections.