Catalysis:  Current projects include the development of new processes for a) the oligomerization of hydrosilanes to cyclic or linear polysilanes, b)  polymerization of alkynes and alkenes, c) C-N bond formation reactions such as coupling or hydroami-nation, d) the use of Lewis acidic cations in organic synthesis (e.g., hydrosilylation of alkenes and ketones). Another thrust is the design of new bifunctional, Lewis acid-Lewis base initiators for various catalytic reactions.

New metal-ligand combinations:  The ability of ligands to radically alter the chemical properties of transition metals makes them an important component of organometallic complexes.  Often the use of new ligand will lead to novel reactivities.  One interesting class of ligands is the multidentate ligands incorporating an indenyl ring and a tethered amine or phosphine.  These have been shown to form interesting new compounds whose reactivities are under study.  We are also studying the preparation of various multidentate and pincer-type ligands and their use in catalysis.

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