Chapter Three - Recent Advances in Heteroatom-Stabilized Carbones and Their Metal Complexes

Abstract The divalent carbon(0) species (carbones: CL 2 ) have been recognized as exhibiting unique bonding and donating characteristics at the central carbon atom. The central zero-valent carbon atom of carbones possesses all four valence electrons as σ- and π-type lone pair orbitals and is bonded to the two σ-donor ligands L through donor–acceptor interactions. Thus, CL 2 carbones are also regarded as carbon(0) complexes (L → C 0  ← L) that are analogous to metal complexes. Applying the insightful concept of carbon complexes, the chemistry of chalcogen-stabilized carbones has been explored and established. This contribution summarizes the experimental approach on carbones-stabilized by phosphorus, sulfur, and selenium ligands, and their unique coordination behavior toward the transition metals.