Ebook: Group 13 Chemistry I: Fundamental New Developments (Structure and Bonding, Volume 103)

Over the last decade our view of chemistry has evolved substantially. Whereas individual researchers previously focused on specific areas of chemistry, such as inorganic, organic, etc. we now take a more holistic approach. Effective and efficient research projects now incorporate whatever aspects of the chemistry subdisciplines that are needed to complete the intended work. The main group elements have always been used in this manner. Depending on the use of the elements, the resulting work can be described under any heading of chemistry. The group 13 elements have been special in this regard due to the very unique characters of the constituent elements. Thus, there is a dramatic change in the properties of the elements when proceeding through the series, B, Al, Ga, In, Tl. This difference is one of the main reasons why these elements have seen, and continue to see, such widespread usage in such disparate applications as organic synthesis, electronic and structural materials, and catalysis, to name but a few. The widespread use and applicability, however, can be directly attributed to the deep understanding of the fundamental properties associated with these elements and their attendant compounds. The fundamental research conducted with these elements forms the foundation upon which all applications and utility are built. The present Structure and Bonding volume is part of a threepart series focused on fundamental, biological, and applied aspects of the group 13 elements. It will showcase four new areas of fundamental work that will either grow in importance in the coming years, or provide new insight into potentially new areas.