In this research project supported by the Inorganic, Bio- inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Program, Richard J. Lagow of the University of Texas at Austin will continue work in the area of polylithium organic compounds, such as di- and tri-lithiomethane, hexalithiobenzene, perlithioadamantane and perlithiocyclopropane. In addition, the existence of hyper- valent compounds such as penta- and hexa-lithiocarbon will be investigated. These polylithium compounds are very unusual and highly reactive molecules which have high energy densities. They may find utility as new materials or in new types of solid or liquid batteries. Studies will include syntheses (generally via lithium vapor chlorocarbon replacement reactions), characterizations by x-ray crystallography, mass spectroscopy, and nobel gas matrix spec- troscopy and investigations of chemical reactivities.
