The principal aim of this course will be to elucidate some of the most important concepts of catalyst design and development, focusing on elements that render a particular set of homogeneous catalysts especially effective. Discussions will be framed in the context of some of the more transformative recent advances in olefin metathesis, cross-coupling, nucleophilic additions to carbonyls and imines,allylic substitutions and conjugate additions.

This course is designed to impart the ability to evaluate what factors render a particular set of catalysts most effective for a particular problem. Furthermore, I twill teach the student how to use homogeneous catalysis most effectively