The design, -synthesis, and selective pyrolytic conversion of organo metallic precursdrs to materials of high purity or specific morphology (for electronic or optical applications), high strength and/or high-temperature stability (for structural or refractory applications) represents a poten tial area of extreme growth at the overlap of chemistry and materials science (materials chemistry). Research in this area is likely to have considerable impact at both the academic and societal levels because it will require development of scientific expertise in areas currently not well understood. Examples include: (1) The thermodynamics of molecular rearrangements in organometallic molecules at temperatures above 200°C; (2) The electronic properties of amorphous ceramic materials; (3) The phys icochemical properties of ceramic molecular composites; and (4) The optical properties of multicomponent glasses made by sol-gel processing. The opportunity to establish the scientific principles needed to pursue useful research goals in "materials chemistry" requires communica tion between chemists, ceramists, metallurgists, and physicists. To date, there have been few opportunities to create an environment where such communication might occur. The objective of this NATO Advanced Research Workshop was to promote discussions between experts in the varibus disci plines aligned with "materials chemistry. " These discussions were intended to identify the scope and potential rewards of research efforts in the development of: Custom-designed precursors to common and exotic materials, methods of selectively transforming these precursors in high yield to the desired material, and methods of characterizing the final products.

The design, -synthesis, and selective pyrolytic conversion of organo metallic precursdrs to materials of high purity or specific morphology (for electronic or optical applications), high strength and/or high-temperature stability (for structural or refractory applications) represents a poten tial area of extreme growth at the overlap of chemistry and materials science (materials chemistry). Research in this area is likely to have considerable impact at both the academic and societal levels because it will require development of scientific expertise in areas currently not well understood. Examples include: (1) The thermodynamics of molecular rearrangements in organometallic molecules at temperatures above 200°C; (2) The electronic properties of amorphous ceramic materials; (3) The phys icochemical properties of ceramic molecular composites; and (4) The optical properties of multicomponent glasses made by sol-gel processing. The opportunity to establish the scientific principles needed to pursue useful research goals in "materials chemistry" requires communica tion between chemists, ceramists, metallurgists, and physicists. To date, there have been few opportunities to create an environment where such communication might occur. The objective of this NATO Advanced Research Workshop was to promote discussions between experts in the varibus disci plines aligned with "materials chemistry. " These discussions were intended to identify the scope and potential rewards of research efforts in the development of: Custom-designed precursors to common and exotic materials, methods of selectively transforming these precursors in high yield to the desired material, and methods of characterizing the final products.

Future directions in Materials Chemistry research are identified based on the NATO/ONR Advanced Research Workshop 'The Design, Activation and Selective Transformation of Organometallic Compounds into Common and Exotic Materials'. Specific problems and research needs in the fields of: (1) Premetallic and preceramic organometallics; (2) Chemical Vapor deposition precursors; and, (3) Sol-gel chemistry are discussed. Fundamental problems at the interfaces of chemistry, physics, and materials science are also considered. Keywords: Polymers, Molecular structure, Thermodynamics, Chemical engineering, Monomers, Reaction kinetics, Catalysis, Pyrolysis. (aw).

The objective of this workshop was to identify the scope and potential rewards of research efforts in the development of methods of transforming organometallic compounds into useful materials. This report covers the presentations in chemical vapor deposition, sol-gel processing, and preceramic polymers. Keywords: Ceramic materials; Ceramic coatings; Metal coatings; Metallic crystals; Organic coatings.

Research on metal-containing polymers began in the early 1960's when several workers found that vinyl ferrocene and other vinylic transition metal TI -complexes would undergo polymerization under the same conditions as conventional organic monomers to form high polymers which incorporated a potentially reactive metal as an integral part of the polymer structures. Some of these materials could act as semi conductors and possessed one or two dimensional conductivity. Thus applications in electronics could be visualized immediately. Other workers found that reactions used to make simple metal chelates could be used to prepare polymers if the ligands were designed properly. As interest in homogeneous catalysts developed in the late 60's and early 70's, several investigators began binding homogeneous catalysts onto polymers, where the advantage of homogeneous catalysis - known reaction mechanisms and the advantage of heterogeneous catalysis - simplicity and ease of recovery of catalysts could both be obtained. Indeed the polymer matrix itself often enhanced the selectivity of the catalyst. The first symposium on Organometallic Polymers, held at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in September 1977, attracted a large number of scientists interested in this field, both established investigators and newcomers. Subsequent symposia in 1977, 1979, 1983, and 1987 have seen the field mature. Hundreds of papers and patents have been published.

This widely-acclaimed serial contains authoritative reviews that address all aspects of organometallic chemistry, a field which has expanded enormously since the publication of Volume 1 in 1964. Almost all branches of chemistry and material science now interface with organometallic chemistry--the study of compounds containing carbon-metal bonds. Organometallic compounds range from species which are so reactive that they only have a transient existence at ambient temperatures to species which are thermally very stable. Organometallics are used extensively in the synthesis of useful compounds on both large and small scales. Industrial processes involving plastics, polymers, electronic materials, and pharmaceuticals all depend on advancements in organometallic chemistry. In basic research, organometallics have contributed inter alia to:* Metal cluster chemistry* Surface chemistry* The stabilization of highly reactive species by metal coordination* Chiral synthesis* The formulation of multiple bonds between carbon and the other elements and between the elements themselvesThis book is an essential reference work for the academic and industrial chemist and will provide up-to-date material at the cutting edge of chemistry research.In basic research, organometallics have contributed inter alia to: - Metal cluster chemistry - Surface chemistry - The stabilization of highly reactive species by metal coordination - Chiral synthesis - The formulation of multiple bonds between carbon and the other elements and between the elements themselves