“…Pseudohalogen complexes of the type EY n q – are isolable for most p -block elements in groups 13–15: Y = N 3 (B–Tl, Si–Sn, P–Bi), NCS (P, Si–Sn), NCO (Si, Ge, Sn), NO 3 (B, Al, Si–Sn). In group 14, they take the form of EL 4 and EL 6 2– (E = Si–Pb, L = N 3 , NO 3 , NCO, NCS, NCSe). − However, there are only very few homoleptic cyanido complexes. This group of complexes is restricted to coordination centers of the less electronegative elements in groups 13 and 15 as P(CN) 3 , Ga(CN) 4 – , E(CN) 5 2– (E = In, Tl, Sb, Bi) and Bi(CN) 6 3– . − In group 14, the set of known complexes consist of the E(CN) 4 type (E = Ge, Sn), for which, apart from in situ 119 Sn NMR spectral data for the Cl/CN ligand exchange to form Sn(CN) 6 2– , little analytical data is available. − CN ligands possess a comparably low oxidation potential and this effects, for instance, the low thermal stability of P(CN) 5 which readily eliminates cyanogen at ambient temperature to form P(CN) 3 .…”