# NHC-Stabilized Early Main Group Species: Reactivity and Emerging Catalysis

## TL;DR

This paper explores how NHCs can enable new catalytic applications for early main group elements.

## Contribution

The paper highlights the emerging role of tethered and bis-NHC complexes in transforming main group catalysis.

## Key findings

- NHCs allow isolation of main group complexes in unusual coordination environments.
- NHCs show potential for enabling catalytic behavior in early main group elements.
- Tethered and bis-NHC complexes are underexplored but promising for catalysis.

## Abstract

N-Heterocyclic carbenes are commonplace
in modern-day
homogeneous catalysis due to their easily tunable steric and electronic
features. Within the main group elements, NHCs have enabled the isolation
of a range of complexes in unusual coordination environments and/or
low oxidation states. With significant research efforts developing
the transition-metal-like behavior of main group elements, emerging
trends are now starting to showcase the potential of NHCs in enabling
catalytic application of main group elements. This perspective highlights
the potential of NHCs to transform main group catalysis, including
a focus on relatively underexplored tethered and bis-NHC complexes
for early main group elements.