Carbon, silicon, germanium, tin and lead

Abstract

Group 14 chemistry has continued strong with many exciting reports published in the calendar year 2005. The chemistry of this diverse Group is extremely varied but this year there has been a definite theme in many of the most interesting advances, that of cluster compounds. Amongst these, the new examples of silicon clusters, including one with a naked silicon atom and the advances in the chemistry of Zintl ion reactions are some of the most impressive. The first report of [Pt@Pb₁₂]²⁻, covered here last year, has led to a flurry of related compounds, including [Ni₃@(Ge₉)₂]²⁻ which is the first example of the encapsulation of a linear cluster of three nickel atoms, where the two terminal nickel atoms are each held in different Ge₉ clusters. Other prominent themes which continue to offer new fruit are those concerned with low oxidation state silicon, germanium, tin and lead centres and those with M(14)–M(14) multiple bonds. From synthetic chemistry to theoretical, structural studies to catalytic reagents, Group 14 still has much to offer in every area of chemistry as this year’s crop of varied reports can attest.