Silenes 〉SiC〈, germenes 〉GeC〈 and stannenes 〉SnC〈: The French contribution

Abstract

Various stable silenes 〉SiC〈, germenes 〉GeC〈 and stannenes 〉SnC〈 have been synthesized by reaction of tert-butyllithium with halovinylsilanes and -germanes (addition–elimination reactions) or with halofluorenylgermanes and -stannanes (substitution–elimination reactions). These two routes are among the most often used to synthesize stable organometallic alkenes. These derivatives, easily evidenced by their characteristic physicochemical data, are extremely reactive, much more than their alkene analogues, and appear as fruitful synthons in organic and organometallic chemistry.