For many compounds that feature M–C single bonds, the carbon ligand is typically classified as an X-type donor according to the covalent bond classification. Notable exceptions, however, are provided by CO, RNC, and so-called N-heterocyclic carbenes, in which the divalent carbon serves primarily as an L-type ligand by virtue of the lone pair on the donor atom. In contrast to these divalent carbon compounds, carbodiphosphoranes, C(PR3)2, which feature formally zerovalent carbon (with two lone pairs of electrons), are a relatively unexplored class of molecules. Therefore, we describe here the role of C(PPh3)2 in main group metal chemistry, and also the application of related divalent carbon compounds.

Zerovalent and divalent carbon compounds as donor ligands in coordination chemistry

2019 Spring National Meeting

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