The focus of this research is the development of reactive metal powders and other reactive zero-valent and anionic metal species for use in synthetic methodology. The principal metals to be studied include Zn, Mn, Ba, Sr, Cu, Mg and Sm. The formation of reactive organometallic species from the metals and a wide variety of organic substrates will be probed. With this award, the Synthetic Organic Program and the Experimental Programs to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Office are supporting the research of Dr. Reuben D. Rieke of the Department of chemistry at the University of Nebraska. Professor Rieke will focus his work on the development of novel highly reactive metal powders and other highly reactive metal species that can be used in a variety of synthetic applications.