"The valency or oxidation state of a transition metal in a complex plays a large role in determining the reactivity of the complex. With transition metal chemistry, historically accessible chemistry has often focused on metals in a low oxidation state. However, transformations involving transition metals in high oxidation states are of equal importance in providing complex products for use in consumer products. Expanding the applications and understanding of transition metal complexes in high oxidation states is the focus of the research presented in this dissertation. Fundamental studies of how ligands interact with high valent metals is presented in chapters 2 and 3, where a chromium(VI) model complex has been used to study bonding interactions between this d0 transition metal and phosphine ligands. Practical application of high valent titanium(IV) catalysts to C--N bond forming reactions is presented in chapters 4--6. Finally, chapters 7 and 8 focus on the changes in the character of M--N double bonds, with M=Fe and Ru, as the metal is forced to higher oxidation states. Collectively, these studies demonstrate different approaches to the same general problems and questions of how chemists can better understand and utilize high valent transitions metals to do catalytically-target desired transformations."--Page ii.
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