Donor–acceptor chemistry in the main group

Abstract

This Perspective article summarizes recent progress from our laboratory in the isolation of reactive main group species using a general donor–acceptor protocol. A highlight of this program is the use of carbon-based donors in combination with suitable Lewis acidic acceptors to yield stable complexes of parent Group 14 element hydrides (e.g. GeH₂ and H₂SiGeH₂). It is anticipated that this strategy could be extended to include new synthetic targets from throughout the Periodic Table with possible applications in bottom-up materials synthesis and main group element catalysis envisioned.