This review describes the synthesis, physical properties, and some aspects of the reactivity of
heteroallenes, namely the heavier congeners of allenes containing one or two doubly bonded heavier
elements of groups 14 (Si, Ge, Sn) and 15 (P, As, Sb). The key factor for their preparation lies in the use
of synthetic methods effective under mild conditions: i.e., in many cases, the dehalogenation at low
temperature of dihaloheteropropenes by lithium derivatives. Their stabilization was successful, owing to
very bulky substituents; substituted aromatic groups were often used, particularly the 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl group (supermesityl). Whereas various types of heteroallenes containing a doubly bonded
element of the second or third long row have been isolated, their heavier counterparts of the fourth row
have only been postulated as reaction intermediates.
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