Heavier group 14 complexes with anionic P-donor ligands

The heavier group 14 elements Ge, Sn and Pb form a wide array of complexes with anionic P-donor ligands. This review surveys the synthesis, structures and, where pertinent, reactions of this class of compound; while the review is intended to be comprehensive in its coverage, emphasis is placed on the literature since 2000. For the purposes of the review ligands are classified according to the location of the negative charge: i.e. localized at phosphorus (e.g. (di)organophosphides, organophosphinidenes), localized on an atom adjacent to phosphorus (e.g. phosphinomethanides), or remote from the phosphorus center (e.g. tertiary phosphine functionalized alkoxides). These compounds adopt an impressive diversity of structures in the solid state and frequently exhibit unusual dynamic behavior in solution.

► Comprehensive review of complexes between anionic P-donor ligands and Ge, Sn or Pb.
► Emphasis on synthetic and structural aspects and dynamic behavior.
► Considerable structural diversity ranging from two-coordinate, electron-deficient species to multinuclear clusters.