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The chemistry of transition metal carbynes, LnM≡CR, has historically been dominated by species bearing hydrocarbyl or amino 'R' substituents, with other elements appearing only sporadically. In recent years, carbynes and related 'C1' species bearing other main‐group substituents, particularly heavier elements of the p‐block, have begun to emerge. This review details the chemistry of heavier pnictogen‐functionalised C1 ligands, MCARn (A=P, As, Sb, Bi; n=0–3), including their syntheses, properties and reactivities, and how these are distinguished from more traditional carbyne complexes. Recent developments in the closely related phospha‐isonitrile LnM(CPR), cya‐phosphide and cya‐arside ligands, LnM(C≡A) (A=P, As), are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]