The resonance parameters + R of substituents Y in radical cations YD + · [where D is a -or n-type center, and Y = MMe 3 , CH 2 MMe 3 (M = Si, Ge, Sn), C(SiMe 3 ) 3 ] depend on the nature of both Y and D. Using radical cations YD + · (Y = CH 2 SiMe 3 , SnMe 3 ) as examples, it was found that the two conjugation parameters, constants + R of substituents Y and perturbation energy calculated by the modified molecular orbital perturbation method, are linearly related to each other. The energies of donor and acceptor components of the overall resonance effect of CH 2 SiMe 3 and SnMe 3 with respect to radical cation centers D + · were estimated for the first time. The donor energy constituent in YD + · is considerably greater than in neutral DY molecules.In keeping with the modern views [1, 2], conjugation in DMMe 3 and DCH 2 MMe 3 molecules is determined by properties of both MMe 3 or CH 2 MMe 3 substituent (M = Si, Ge, Sn) and reaction center D; the latter may be an , -unsaturated or aromatic hydrocarbon radical (R ), as well as an atom (X) possessing unshared electron pairs. Therefore, the ability of substituents like MMe 3 and CH 2 MMe 3 to be involved in conjugation with D cannot be described by universal resonance parameters like R which are invariant from D. The absence of universality is closely related to the mechanism of conjugation in molecules like DMMe 3 and DCH 2 MMe 3 , which is more complex than in analogous carbon derivatives (M = C).The mechanism of conjugation is based on the concept involving dual (acceptor and donor simultaneously) resonance properties of MMe 3 substituents (M = Si, Ge, Sn) with respect to D in DMMe 3 molecules [1,2]. Acceptor resonance effect (d, or d,n conjugation) implies interaction between vacant nd orbitals of atoms M and antibonding * orbitals of the M-C bonds in MMe 3 , on the one hand, and R group (or X atom), on the other. This effect becomes weaker as the atomic number of M rises in the series Si > Ge > Sn; when M = C, acceptor resonance effect is absent. Donor resonance effect ( , or ,n conjugation) is interaction between orbitals of the M-C bond in MMe 3 and R group (or X atom), and it becomes stronger as the atomic number of M rises (C < Si < Ge < Sn); i.e., the effect is minimal for M = C.The CH 2 MMe 3 substituents in DCH 2 MMe 3 molecules act as weak acceptors and strong donors with respect to D [1]. Clearly predominating donor resonance effect of , and ,n conjugation originates from interaction between orbitals of the C-M bonds in CH 2 MMe 3 and R group (or X) [1, 2]. As with MMe 3 , the effect increases in the M series C < Si < Ge < Sn.Weak and poorly studied [1] acceptor resonance effect of CH 2 MMe 3 substituents originates from *, (or *,n) conjugation, i.e., interaction between antibonding * orbitals of the CH 2 -M bond and R (or X). It will be shown below that effects of *, and *,n conjugation in DCH 2 MMe 3 , despite their lesser importance as compared to donor , and ,n conjugation, are not negligible. Of the two opposite constituents of the overall resonance...