Synthesis of new pro-ligands and organometallic compounds

Pincer complexes are known as one of the most effective catalyst for a vast array of reactions. Besides the typical PCP backbones, very interesting N-heterocyclic carbenes or phosphinite PCP pincer analogues, as well as SPS, SCS, NCN, and OCO pincer complexes are a well-established family of organometallic complexes with a multitude of applications in catalysis. The pincer type complexes consist on a metallic centre and a pincer type ligand containing the donor atoms, suitably arranged so that they may coordinate in a tridentated manner. Almost all the examples studied in catalysis have a metal-carbon σ-bond, which is the responsible for the unique stability of these complexes. Pincer complexes with a metal-silicon σ-bond or metal-boron σ-bond have been reported previously, but their catalytic properties have not been explored so far. I believe that exploiting  boron and silicon atom in the pincer framework, will result in the discovery of new  reactivity pathways that will lead to improved the catalytic activity of these complexes.