Research in our group currently encompasses almost all of the elements of the periodic table. We are currently investigating a large number of research projects that are attempting to address topical, but yet fundamental problems in the fields of inorganic, organometallic and materials chemistry. These projects can be separated into several general areas:

    M-M Multiple Bonding and Catalysis. M-M multiple bonds can be viewed as inorganic functional groups. The development of the chemistry of such dinuclear complexes is at the forefront of our research due to their rich reactivities and potential catalytic applications. For example, we are currently studying the factors which influence the reductive cleavage of carbon-element multiple bonds such as CºO, RCºCR and R2C=O at dinuclear metal centers - reactions that are not possible at a single metal site.

    Liquid Crystals. Organic polymers and liquid crystals find innumerable applications in our daily life. We are currently exploring the introduction of metal ions into organic polymers and liquid crystals with the intent of making new “smart” materials. The metal ions may be present as guests within the organic architecture or they may act as the engineers of the structural motif. Particular attention is being given to the use of metal ions with unusual optical or magnetic properties.

    Metallic Thin Films. The formation of high quality thin films of metals, metal-carbides, -nitrides and -oxides by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) from volatile organometallic species remains a synthetic challenge. Using the principle of chemical surface modification, our group has pioneered new low temperature (< 360 °C) routes for the preparation of tungsten carbide and tungsten metallic films.

    Polymer Catalysis. Functionalized lactides find use as drug delivery agents, biodegradable polymers and in tissue engineering. Polyethers find numerous applications as such materials as SpandexTM and LycraTM and in the synthesis of polyurethanes. Recently we have been developing single site metal alkoxide catalysts (LnMOR) for the ring-opening polymerization of strained cyclic esters such as L-lactide. Since many of these polymers have medicinal applications, the selection of the metal and ligands can be critical as the catalyst can remain entrained in the polymer at ppm levels.

    Within these topics there are great opportunities for creative synthetic endeavors in conjunction with mechanistic and theoretical studies as well as a need for the utilization of a wide range of physical methods in the characterization of molecules and materials.