Heavy ketones, the heavier element congeners of a ketone

In contrast to ketones, one of the most important classes of organic compou nds, their heavier element congeners, "heavy ketones", are much less explor ed because of their extremely high reactivities. This Account reviews the s ynthesis, reactivities, and structures of stable heavy ketones containing s ilicon, germanium, and tin as well as those of moderately stable lead analo gues. These heavy ketones are kinetically stabilized by taking advantage of bulky substituents, yet they can undergo a variety of reactions due to the intrinsic high reactivity of heavier group 14-16 double bonds. Systematic comparisons for silicon through lead compounds reveal interesting differenc es in their properties, depending on the elements.