T. Don Tilley

Professor of Chemistry. Studies of early transition metal-silicon chemistry uncovered metal-silicon bond insertion reactions and the first synthesis of a formylsilane. Mechanistic studies in this area identified a large class of sigma-bond metathesis processes for catalytic element-element bond formations. Such reactions form the basis for a new polymerization mechanism, which was exploited to prepare polysilanes and a previously unknown type of polymer, polystannanes. Related studies on carbon-hydrogen bond activation revealed new catalytic functionalizations of inert hydrocarbons such as methane. Was the first to isolate and study silylene complexes and discover an unexpected mechanism for the hydrosilation of olefins involving direct Si-H additions. His use of metal-mediated routes to conjugated systems provides efficient, modular approaches to electroactive polymers and oligomers and small molecules. Related supramolecular chemistry utilizing zirconocene couplings affords convenient routes to macrocycles and cages of controlled shape, size, and functionality. Contributions to the development of tailored, multi-component inorganic materials via molecular design offer control over composition and nanostructure and yielded heterogeneous catalysts with improved performance.