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Why are boron and silicon compounds included among organometallic compounds?

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periodic table with group numbers and the s, p, d, and f blocks — organometallic compound The periodic table of the elements, displaying the group numbers and the s, p, d, and f blocks. Elements in the shaded area are the metals of organometallic chemistry.

In the study of chemistry, the term "metal" is interpreted broadly when defining organometallic compounds. While these substances are generally characterized by the presence of at least one metal-to-carbon bond where the carbon is part of an organic group, the classification extends to include compounds containing metalloids such as boron (B) and silicon (Si).1

Because these elements are categorized as metalloids, their organic derivatives—such as trimethylboron, B(CH $_{3}$ ) $_{3}$ —are considered organometallic alongside those containing traditional metals like lithium, magnesium, or iron. This broad inclusion reflects the chemical convention of grouping these elements with metals in the context of organometallic chemistry, provided they form direct bonds with the carbon atoms of organic groups.12