Abstract A novel technique using trimethylsilyl aminoacetic acid derivatives and trialkoxy or trichloro derivatives of silicon and germanium has been employed to prepare sil-and germ- atranones. The 1 H, 13 C, 15 N and 29 Si NMR spectroscopy data obtained for the synthesized compounds indicate that an increase in the number of carbonyl groups in the atrane framework enhances charge transfer along the donor-acceptor N→ M bond. ...