Matt F. Cain

Matt F. Cain serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where he has led an active research group since summer 2014. His work bridges synthetic inorganic chemistry and catalytic applications with emphasis on novel ligand design.

His educational foundation includes:

• B.S. in Chemistry from SUNY Geneseo (2007)
• Ph.D. in Chemistry from Dartmouth College (2012) under Dave Glueck, focusing on Cu(I)-catalyzed P-C bond formation and P-stereogenic triphosphine ligands
• Postdoctoral research at MIT (2012-2014) with Dick Schrock on TREN-based macrocyclic ligands for Mo-catalyzed N₂ reduction

Dr. Cain's research program centers on developing multidentate, non-innocent, and chiral ligands for transition metal catalysis. Key initiatives include engineering C1-symmetric P-stereogenic ligands, designing multidentate systems for dinitrogen reduction, and creating phosphaalkene-based redox-active platforms. His group leverages advanced air-sensitive techniques like Schlenk lines and glovebox manipulations to explore phosphorus chemistry for asymmetric catalysis and alternative energy processes.

Analysis of his 2016-2023 publications reveals consistent innovation in phosphorus-containing ligands (particularly benzazaphospholes and phosphaalkenes), with structural studies of Pt/Ru complexes and reactivity investigations enabling new catalytic pathways in small-molecule activation.

Dr. Cain actively mentors approximately 12 researchers through his "Synthesis in Paradise" group, which maintains strong technical capabilities in ligand synthesis and metal complex characterization. Current projects focus on unexplored C1-symmetric ligand architectures and redox-active platforms for energy-relevant transformations, supported by collaborative instrumentation access across the department.