Within this dissertation the reduction potentials of miscellaneous subvalent main group compounds from group 2 as well as group 13 (Mg(I), Al(I), Ga(I), In(I)) were investigated for the first time in a systematic manner. The reduction potentials of this compounds were examined with regard to a variety of Sn-X and Ge-X bonds (X = halogenide, amide, aryl, alkyl, silyl). There are only examples in the literature so far where tin and germanium halogenide bonds were investigated. This work demonstrates that depending on the central element of the utilized reducing agent another reaction course occurs. The different order of the reducing force of this compounds related to a specific bond that is activated is portrayed and explained. Furthermore it is demonstrated that with the suitable precursor compounds it is possible to establish a new route to obtain metalloid tin clusters. The synthesis and structure of the novel Sn10trip8 (trip= tri-iso-propylphenyl) is portrayed for example. It represents one of the few examples of a fully characterized (119Sn-NMR, UV/VIS) metalloid tin cluster. In addition to that one of three known structures with a Sn-Al bond is synthesized through reduction with one of this subvalent main group compounds and was characterized. It is obtained through activation of a methyl group of a hypersilyl moiety, which is a very rare reaction course in general.