Inorganic, Organometallic, and Organic Analogues of Carbenes

Abstract

Abstract This review deals with inorganic, organometallic, and organic compounds, as well as with elements, that on the basis of their electronic structure and their reactions can be regarded formally as analogues of carbenes. These “carbene analogues” include in particular the compounds of monovalent boron, aluminum, nitrogen, and phosphorus; those of divalent silicon, germanium, tin, and lead; atomic oxygen; atomic sulfur; and atomic selenium. The preparation and chemical properties of the carbenes and their analogues are compared.