Metal element triple bonds of the heavier group 15 elements

Abstract

Complexes with terminal pnictinido ligands (except nitrogen) are a new class of compounds the first examples being phosphido2 ligands which were isolated and structurally characterized in 1995 by Cummins and Schrock. As long as 10 years ago, however, speculation on the existence of possible reaction intermediates containing M≡E species was given both with and without spectroscopic evidence. This article will summarize the past and current stages in this field and give the presently known properties and characteristics of such ligands.