Some past vignettes of and future prospects for Main Group chemistry

The present article traces, from the author's perspective, some of the important developments in the chemistry of the Group 13 and 15 elements that have taken place over the past three decades. Included in the review are compounds that feature multiple bonding between heavier Main Group elements, the coordination chemistry of Group 13 and 15 carbene analogues, and novel ring systems involving these elements. Some materials science and medicinal aspects of this area of chemistry are also presented. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.