Dr. Storr's research group is probing the use of new multidentate ligands in transition-metal chemistry with a view to creating catalytic systems of broad applicability. Numerous uninegative tridentate chelating ligands have been synthesized and these have been incorporated in a number of unique transition-metal complexes. The stability of these complexes is attributed to the flexibility of the new ligands and also to their propensity to create electron-rich transition-metal centres in their complexes. Research in this area of "designer" ligands and their complexes is continuing. In materials chemistry, transition-metal pyrazolate and imidazolate polymers are being studied with a view to creating novel materials with useful magnetic and electrical properties.
