Department of Chemistry

Organometallic Chemistry constitutes a branch of Chemistry that draws from traditional Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. Consequently, this branch of Chemistry can address and solve particularly unique problems ranging from catalytic industrial production issues to the synthesis and fabrication of compounds and materials relevant to nanotechnology. Our laboratory has been studying difficult problems relating to fundamental issues of structure and bonding in organometallic compounds. In particular, we are interested in the synthesis, stabilization, and structure of compounds containing multiple bonds between heavier main group elements (such as gallium and lead) and extending the concept of aromaticity beyond carbon ring systems to metallic ring systems-a phenomenon known as metalloaromaticity. Students engaged in this research will gain valuable experience in both organic and inorganic synthesis and become proficient in the synthesis and manipulation of air-sensitive compounds and materials (a very valuable technique in both the academic and industrial communities). In addition, as our principal characterization technique is single crystal X-ray diffraction, students will hone their skills in practical small molecule crystallography.