Chapter 9: Chemistry of Transition Metal Complexes with Group 13 Elements: Transition Metal Complexes with Lewis Acidic Ligands

This chapter covers metal complexes with ligating Group 13 element atoms. Since these elements have ns²p¹ electron configurations, they are considered to be Lewis acidic and electron-deficient, with a vacant p orbital. As a result, their complexes show a range of characteristics not found for carbon, such as the existence of three-center-two electron bonds, π-interactions different to those in M–Si compounds, the formation of Lewis acid–base adducts and high reactivity. The first sections are dedicated to examples of boryl and borylene complex synthesis and reactions due to their uniqueness and significant differences to heavier boron congeners. The later sections deal with the remaining Group 13 elements. Bonding in the different structural types is explained in detail, since this is central to understanding the chemistry. A number of approaches to synthesis are covered, with examples of each.