Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 1, 2025

Author Spotlight: Accelerating Discovery in Microporous Material Chemistry
Published on: October 6, 2023
Acyl metalloids: conformity and deviation from carbonyl reactivity
Aleksandra Holownia1, Chirag N Apte1, Andrei K Yudin1
1Davenport Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto 80 St. George St. Toronto Ontario M5S 3H6 Canada andrei.yudin@utoronto.ca.
Acyl metalloids, including boron, silicon, germanium, and tellurium compounds, are versatile tools in chemical synthesis. Their unique reactivity enables diverse transformations, from polar reactions to radical pathways, expanding synthetic possibilities.
Area of Science:
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Synthetic Organic Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Acyl metalloids were previously viewed as chemical curiosities.
- Recent advancements highlight their significant role in modern chemical synthesis.
- Understanding the reactivity of these compounds is crucial for developing new synthetic methodologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and analyze the reactivity of acylboron, acylsilicon, acylgermanium, and acyltellurium species.
- To demonstrate how elemental differences influence reaction outcomes in various chemical transformations.
- To showcase the diverse applications of these metalloid compounds in enabling synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of reported chemical transformations involving acyl metalloids.
- Comparative study of reactivity patterns based on the nature of the metalloid element.
- Highlighting key examples of synthetic applications.
Main Results:
- Acylboron compounds predominantly participate in polar transformations.
- Acylgermanium and acyltellurium species serve effectively as radical precursors.
- Acylsilanes exhibit broad applicability, facilitating both radical and polar reaction pathways.
Conclusions:
- The elemental composition of acyl metalloids dictates their reactivity and synthetic utility.
- These compounds offer distinct advantages for accessing diverse chemical transformations.
- Acyl metalloids represent valuable and versatile reagents for contemporary chemical synthesis.
Related Concept Videos
Properties of Organometallic Compounds
Relative Reactivity of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
A key factor in assessing the reactivity of the acid derivatives is the basicity of the substituent or the leaving group. The lower the basicity of the leaving group, the higher the reactivity of the derivative. The basicity of the leaving group follows this order:
Halide ions < Acyloxy ions < Alkoxy ions < Amine ions
Structures of Aldehydes and Ketones
In aldehydes (Figures 1a and 1b), the...
Reactivity of Enolate Ions
Structural Isomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can...
Oxidations of Aldehydes and Ketones to Carboxylic Acids
Aldehydes readily undergo oxidation in strong oxidizing agents such as potassium permanganate and chromic acid. The oxidation can also be carried out using mild oxidizing agents such as silver oxide. In fact, aldehydes can be easily oxidized...

