Novel Electrophilic Ruthenium(ii) and Iridium(iii) Complexes

This work is a small testament to homogeneous catalytic chemistry. I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Folami. T. Ladipo, for his guidance and encouragement. I would also like to thank my committee members for their help and support. My lab mates were very important to my success as were my colleagues from other synthetic laboratories. My family's support throughout this test of endurance was also very important. The use of fossil fuels is well documented since the dawn of technology. Much of early forms of fossil fuels were coal, and oil. Only in the past 150 years have coal, natural gas, and petroleum grown to their more principal roles as sources of usable energy.1 The expansion and full realization of the petrochemical industry can be considered one of the greatest technological success stories.