Unleashing New Patterns of Reactivity with Electron-Rich Main Group Compounds

The development of main group compounds for small molecule activation, traditionally the domain of transition metals, is a rapidly growing area. p-Block systems can activate diverse substrates and are increasingly applied in heavy-metal-free catalysis. Our research targets group 13 and 14 metals with frontier orbitals suited for cooperative activation of H₂, NH₃, and CO, with reactivity tuned via HOMO–LUMO energies. Aluminyl systems (AlX₂⁻) show unusual reactivity due to high nucleophilicity, including arene C–H activation, CO homologation, and unprecedented benzene C–C bond cleavage. Their electron-rich nature also enables use as metallo-ligands in bimetallic compounds. Recent Be(I) species act as strong σ-donor ligands, opening access to novel valence states and reactivity in d-block metals.