title: Carbene-stabilized main group diatomic allotropes.
abstract: While transition metals are well known for assuming the formal oxidation state of zero in various compounds main group elements have rarely engaged in this practice. Recent reports of N-heterocyclic carbene-stabilized main group diatomic allotropes (i.e., Si(2), Ge(2), P(2), As(2)) denote a breakthrough of zero-oxidation state main group chemistry. This Perspective addresses the synthesis and characterization of these highly reactive main group molecules, with a particular emphasis on the very recent progress in the reactivity study of carbene-stabilized Si(2) and P(2).
authors: Department of Chemistry, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2556, United States.
authors: Yuzhong
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Gregory H
authors: GH
authors: Robinson