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Our research involves the synthesis and characterization of organometallic and metal-organic compounds of the heavier p-block elements (e.g. indium and bismuth) that possess interesting Lewis acid and redox properties. In addition to the development of the fundamental reactive and structural chemistry of these elements, this work has potential applications in: 1) Green Chemistry - organometallic compounds of environmentally benign metals such as indium and bismuth prepared in our group are being studied as alternatives to transition and rare earth metal-based Lewis acid and redox catalysts. We are focusing on the utility of these materials as ROP catalysts for cyclic esters and epoxides, for C-C bond formation reactions in aqueous media, and for esterification/transesterification reactions for the production of biodeisel. 2) Materials Chemistry - organometallic heavy element Lewis acid-base adducts (e.g. group 13-16) prepared in our group have potential as high-purity organometallic/ metal organic precursors required for the thin-film methods employed in the preparation of semiconductor materials (e.g. MOCVD); and, 3) Medicinal Chemistry - certain isotopes of some of the heavier group 13 elements (e.g. indium-111) are currently being examined for use in radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging. Our studies of the coordination chemistry of In involve suitable ligands for preparing radio-pharmaceuticals with improved physical properties. The interaction of the resulting metal-ligand complexes with biologically relevant molecules is also being examined.