PCP-bridged chalcogen-centred anions: coordination chemistry and carbon-based reactivity

Since the discovery of the stabilising influence of thiophosphinoyl groups in methanediides by Le Floch et al. (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2004, 43, 6382), numerous transition metal, lanthanide and actinide complexes of bis(thiophosphinoyl) carbene ligands have been investigated with an emphasis on the electronic structure and reactivity of the metal-carbon bonds. This Perspective begins by discussing main group (s- and p-block) complexes of this ligand and draws attention to differences compared to their d and f-block analogues. Investigations targeting the heavy chalcogen analogues of the Le Floch ligand have revealed an unusual carbon-based reactivity that led to the discovery of novel multidentate chalcogen-centred ligands as both monomers and, upon oxidation, dimers linked by dichalcogenido functionalities. Studies of main group and coinage metal complexes have established the flexibility and redox-activity of these novel anionic ligands.