Lewis acid group 14 organometallic compounds

Main-group organometallic compounds are versatile tools in organic synthesis, but their structures are complicated by the involvement of the multicenter, two-electron bonds and ion-dipole interactions that are involved in aggregate formation (5). Electron deficiency or Lewis acidity of the metallic center and nucleophilicity or basicity of the substituents are important considerations in synthesis. The complexity of the structures and interactions is, however, the origin of much of the unique behavior of these organometallic compounds. 

Hydroboration of Organometallic Alkenes. A transition metal compound containing a ligand that combines both an Tj-arene 7r-donor group and a boron cr-acceptor (Lewis acid) group has been successfully prepared by the hydroboration of an alkene bearing j-arene derivative of chromium (eq 14). ... 

Applications involving ring transfer or loss. The kinetic lability, volatility, and Lewis acidity of heavy alkaline earth metallocenes have been the properties most important to their applications. The gas-phase decomposition of volatile metallocenes is useful in the preparation of thin films of alkaline earth-containing materials and in doping semiconductors. Reviews are available on the use of group 2 organometallic compounds as precursors for chemical-vapour deposition (CVD).2 3... 

There are also catalysts that lack any apparent source of metal-carbon bonds. These catalysts include the aforementioned alumina- and silica-sup-ported transition metal oxides (which, in principle, do not demand any activation by organometallic compounds), and also several group 6-8 transition metal chlorides (soluble in hydrocarbons or chlorohydrocarbons), most typically RuC13. Some of these transition metal halides require activation by a cocatalyst of the Lewis acid type (e.g. A1C13, GaBr3, TiCU) [66,67], Noble metal chlorides may be used in alcoholic solvents or in water containing emulsifiers [68]. 

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