5 Carbon, silicon, germanium, tin and lead

Abstract

The year 2004 has seen a bumper crop of exciting advances in the chemistry of Group 14. Among the highlights are the first example of a Si–Si triple bond and the first triple bond to a main group element of the sixth period as found in (PMe₃)₄BrMoPb(2,6-trip). Both of these advances have importance well beyond the typical audience for Group 14 chemistry, as they are of immense significance in the understanding of chemical bonding. Beyond the area of multiple bonds, a quasi-one-coordinate complex of lead, [(2,6-trip)Pb]B(Me)(C₆F₅)₃, and the extraordinary [Pt@Pb₁₂]²⁻ have each added excitement to the years' research and, while lead has certainly been in the forefront of key contributions, the other elements of Group 14 are not far behind, as seen in the wealth of new results reported across the board. As in recent years, the study of lower oxidation state and of lower coordination number complexes has been key in many of the most interesting developments along with cluster compounds and materials based on Group 14 elements.