Soluble Polychalcogenides of the Late Transition and Main Group Elements

A review of the coordination chemistry of heavier polychalcogenide ligands with late transition and main group metals with a focus on recent developments in the author’s laboratory is given. The complexes available thus far are mainly homoleptic anionic compounds of the general formula [M(Q,)m]“” (x > 2, Q = Se,Te), (M = late transition or main group metal) stabilized by large organic counterions. In most cases it was found that the structural types accessible by the heavier polychalcogenides are different from those of corresponding polysulfides. The complexity of polychalcogenide solutions in polar solvents currently makes a priori prediction of new complexes difficult. Results from thermolysis studies from these compounds are briefly presented.