Chapter 5: Highlights in low-coordinate group 14 organometallic chemistry

The structure of this chapter is similar to that adopted in recent editions of SPR Organometallics dealing with the Group 14 elements,¹  whereby the principal focus is on low-coordinate compounds in which the element of interest is engaged in multiple bonding. The review summarizes the key advances reported in the period 2010–2012. As this chapter demonstrates, compounds containing silicon, germanium, tin and lead in multiply bonded environments continue to provide a source of fascination, with a number of notable ‘firsts’ being achieved in the field, including, for example, a stable germanone and further developments in the chemistry of disilynes.