Dative bonding in main group compounds

The progress in experimental and theoretical research in the area of main group compounds that possess dative bonds, which was made in the last decade, is summarized. The focus lies on the information about the bonding situation that is available from the analysis of the electronic structure using modern methods of quantum chemistry and the implication on experimental work. The account describes complexes EL2 and E2L2 of group 13-15 atoms E where a single- or diatomic centre is stabilized by donor ligands L. The work is complemented by didactical excursions which demonstrate the strength of the dichotomous interpretation of chemical bonding in terms of dative or electron-sharing interactions. It is important to distinguish between the description of a bonding situation and the explanation of the molecular electronic structure, which provides the fundament for the pictorial representation of the bonds.