Stable Silapyramidanes

Starting from tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)cyclobutadiene and an amidinate-supported silylene of the Roesky-type, a sequence of addition and reduction cleanly gives the elusive silapyramidane via an isolable cyclobutene intermediate with an exocyclic Si═C bond. The silapyramidane features an unusually shielded ²⁹Si NMR resonance at -448.3 ppm for the apex silicon atom. Treatment with Fe₂(CO)₉ results in the formation of the corresponding silapyramidane-iron complex. Silapyramidane also reacts with the cyclobutadiene starting material to cleanly afford a fluorescent spirobis(silole).

Molecular Silicon Clusters

The continuously decreasing size of device features in microelectronics draws growing attention to the structuring of silicon at the molecular level with powerful tools provided by synthetic chemistry. Silicon clusters are of particular importance in this regard not only as potential precursors for silicon deposition but also as well-defined model systems for bulk and surfaces of silicon at the nanoscale as well as possible starting points for future construction of molecularly precise device structures. This review aims to give a comprehensive overview about the state of the art in the synthesis of molecular silicon clusters, which are grouped into (1) electron-precise saturated clusters, (2) soluble polyhedral Zintl anions, and (3) unsaturated silicon clusters, the so-called siliconoids. Particular attention is paid to functionalization as it is generally considered a necessary prerequisite for the design and construction of more extended systems. The interrelations between the three different classes of molecular silicon clusters, e.g., arising from the introduction of negatively charged functional groups, are highlighted on grounds of NMR properties and computed electronic structures.

Heavier element-containing aromatics of [4n+2]-electron systems

While the implication of the aromaticity concept has been dramatically expanded to date since its emergence in 1865, the classical [4n+2]/4n-electron counting protocol still plays an essential role in evaluating the aromatic nature of compounds. Over the last few decades, a variety of heavier heterocycles featuring the formal [4n+2] π-electron arrangements have been developed, which allows for assessing their aromatic nature. In this review, we present recent developments of the [4n+2]-electron systems of heavier heterocycles involving group 13-15 elements. The synthesis, spectroscopic data, structural parameters, computational data, and reactivity are introduced.

Phosphine-Stabilized Germasilenylidene: Source for a Silicon-Atom Transfer

A phosphine-stabilized germasilenylidene is synthesized following the pathway of SiCl₄ oxidative addition at a germylene-phosphine Lewis pair. Low-temperature reduction using {(^MesNacnac)Mg}₂ resulted in a chlorosilylene intermediate and finally a molecule exhibiting a Ge═Si: motif. Inside the chelating phosphine-germylene, a low-valent silicon atom is stabilized and was transferred to diazabutadiene to give N-heterocyclic silylenes. Because of the high reactivity of the phosphine-stabilized germasilenylidene, a reaction of two Ge═Si: units was found to yield a Si₂Ge₂-ring molecule exhibiting a germasilene substituted with a silylene.

Lewis base-stabilized silyliumylidene ions in transition metal coordination chemistry

An overview of the progress made in the transition metal chemistry of isolable base-stabilized silyliumylidene ions.

Atomically Precise Expansion of Unsaturated Silicon Clusters

Small- to medium-sized clusters occur in various areas of chemistry, for example, as active species of heterogeneous catalysis or as transient intermediates during chemical vapor deposition. The manipulation of stable representatives is mostly limited to the stabilizing ligand periphery, virtually excluding the systematic variation of the property-determining cluster scaffold. We now report the deliberate expansion of a stable unsaturated silicon cluster from six to seven and finally eight vertices. The consecutive application of lithium/naphthalene as the reducing agent and decamethylsilicocene as the electrophilic source of silicon results in the expansion of the core by precisely one atom with the potential of infinite repetition.

A Three-Membered Cyclic Phosphasilene

Small unsaturated phosphacycles are versatile reagents owing to their strain and the added functionality of the double bond and the phosphorus lone pair. Herein we report the synthesis and isolation of the smallest possible cyclic phosphasilene as a stable adduct with an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC). First reactivity studies show a) that the PSi₂ ring is a competent ligand to the Fe(CO)₄ fragment via the phosphorus lone pair and b) that the abstraction of the NHC by BPh₃ results in the rapid head-to-head or head-to-tail dimerization of the PSi₂ unit. The relatively facile NHC cleavage indicates that the P=Si double bond is available for further manipulation.

An anionic heterosiliconoid with two germanium vertices

Reduction of dismutational 1,4-digermatetrasilabenzene isomer gives lithium digermatetrasila-benzpolarenide (R = Tip = 2,4,6-iPr₃C₆H₂). The positions of its Ge vertices yield mechanistic insights; its reaction with SiCl₄ proves its nucleophilicity.

Stable unsaturated silicon clusters (siliconoids)

Unsaturated silicon clusters are key intermediates of silicon deposition processes from the gas phase, which is reflected in the recently introduced term "siliconoids" for silicon rich clusters with at least one hemispheroidally coordinated vertex. Unlike the case of metalloid clusters of heavier Group 14 elements, stable homonuclear derivatives containing silicon have become available just recently. This review summarizes the developments since the first report on a stable unsaturated silicon cluster in 2005. The synthesis, structure and reactivity under retention of the unsaturated vertices (i.e. the functionalization) of stable siliconoids is discussed within the broader context of soluble Zintl anions of silicon and metalloid clusters. A structural parameter is introduced as a quantitative measure to characterize the "hemispheroidality" of an unsubstituted vertex of a siliconoid.

(Multi-)Metallic Cluster Growth

This review article provides a survey of contemporary investigations on main group metal cluster formation, addressing homo- and heterometallic clusters (including small numbers of transition metal atoms), with or without an external ligand shell, thereby excluding clusters with non-metal atoms as bridging ligands. Most of the studies reflected herein represent insights into the formation of intermediates from the starting material, or the final cluster formation from established intermediates. In rare cases, the entire process was suggested as a result of comprehensive, multi-method elucidations. The article is to be understood as a state-of-the-art report, as the subject matter is currently a rising field of research, which is still in its infancy, despite some early activities that date back to the 1980s. At the same time, the article intends to point toward both the importance and the feasibility of according studies, in order to encourage researchers to gain even more knowledge in this field. Only deep understanding of cluster formation will allow for design, and ultimately control, of their syntheses, with the long-term goal of their optimization and purposeful application in catalysis or novel material synthesis.

Functional Disilenes in Synthesis

Functionalized disilenes are valuable auxiliary tools in preparative chemistry. In the following review the various synthetic potential of disilenes as precursors is presented. Upon consumption of the Si=Si unit in disilenes, cyclic, polycyclic and cluster-like arrangements are obtainable.

Reactivity in the periphery of functionalised multiple bonds of heavier group 14 elements

Heavier group 14 multiple bonds have intrigued chemists since more than a century. The synthesis of stable compounds with double and triple bonds with silicon, germanium, tin and lead had considerable impact on modern ideas of chemical bonding. These developments were made possible by the use of bulky substituents that provide kinetic and thermodynamic protection. Since about a decade the compatibility of heavier multiple bonds with various functional groups has moved into focus. This review covers multiply bonded group 14 species with at least one additional reactive site. The vinylic functionalities of groups 1 and 17, resulting in nucleophilic and electrophilic disila vinyl groups, respectively, are the most prevalent and well-studied. They have been employed repeatedly for the transfer of heavier multiple bonds to yield low-valent group 14 compounds with novel structural motifs. Vinylic functionalities of groups 2 to 16 and a few σ-bonded transition metal complexes are experimentally known, but their reactivity has been studied to a lesser extent. Donor-coordinated multiple bonds are a relatively new field of research, but the large degree of unsaturation as isomers of alkynes (as well as residual functionality in some cases) offers considerable possibility for further manipulation, e.g. for the incorporation into more extended systems. Heavier allyl halides constitute the major part of heavier multiple bonds with a functional group in allylic position and some examples of successful transformations are given. At present, remote functionalities are basically limited to para-phenylene functionalised disilenes. The reported use of the latter for further derivatisation might encourage investigations in this direction. In summary, the study of peripherally functionalised multiple bonds with heavier group 14 elements is already well beyond its infancy and may be an instrumental factor in awakening the potential of group 14 chemistry for applications in polymers and other materials.