This outstanding thesis describes a detailed investigation into the use of low-oxidation-state
group 14 complexes in catalysis developed at the cutting edge of inorganic and organometallic
chemistry. It includes the preparation of a number of landmark compounds some of which
challenge our current understanding of metal-metal bonding and low-oxidation-state main group
chemistry. Among the many highlights of this thesis the standout result is the development of
the first well-defined low- oxidation-state main group hydride systems as highly efficient
catalysts in the hydroboration of carbonyl substrates including carbon dioxide which are as
efficient as those observed in more traditional transition-metal catalyses. These results
essentially define a new subdiscipline of chemistry.
