9726789 Ojima This award supports a three year collaborative research project between Professor Iwao Ojima of SUNY, Stony Brook, Professor Keiji Morokuma of Emory University and Professor Eiichi Nakamura of the University of Tokyo in Japan. The researchers will be undertaking experimental and theoretical studies on structure and catalytic activity of di- and polynuclear metal complexes. Professor Ojima has been designing and developing new and efficient homogeneous catalytic reactions promoted by heterobimetallic catalyst systems, that provide useful synthetic methods for organic synthesis. He has discovered silylformylation and various silylcarbocyclizations and has been trying to elucidate the most plausible mechanisms for these catalytic processes. His collaborations with theoretical chemists, who have experience in analyzing the problems in homogeneous catalysis and di-/polynuclear metal complex systems, will provide insight into the theoretically predicted pathways. This project brings together the efforts of three laboratories that have complementary expertise, research capabilities and equipment. Professor Ojima's expertise is in organometallic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis. Professor Morokuma is a theoretical chemist who can uniquely deal with the catalytic cycles of transition metal catalyzed processes. Professor Nakamura has a wide range of expertise in experimental as well as theoretical research. It is anticipated that this trilateral collaborative research will disclose novel mechanistic aspects of the catalysis of di- and polynuclear metal complexes, which are very likely to imply new organometallic species in the catalytic cycle. This information will stimulate the exploration of new and significant organometallic transformations and help in the design of highly regio-, stereo- and enantioselective catalyst systems with applications in industrial processes. Through the exchange of ideas and technology, this project will broaden o ur base of basic knowledge and promote international understanding and cooperation. ***
