Ian Manners

Photograph of Ian Manners. Ian Manners pioneered a revolution in main-group and organometallic polymers and materials research for over four decades. The road map to these new inorganic entities began with the concept of identifying and designing molecularly strained inorganic cyclics that could ring-open and propagate in a controlled manner. His investigations led to the isolation of the first examples of soluble, air-stable, high molecular weight organometallic polymers of alternating metallocene and Groups 13–16 bridging units. The non-carbon elements of these polymer backbones displayed properties that matched, or were superior to, their closest organic analogues. His metallopolymers research has applications for charge transport, magnetic, ceramic, stimuli responsive and liquid crystalline materials, as well as materials for sensors and etch resists. Using the Periodic Table as his canvas, the work evolved to identify new means to stitch elements together, creating hydrogen-rich boron–nitrogen and boron–phosphorus polymers isoelectronic with polyethylene. His manifold contributions have redefined the area of inorganic materials and his lasting influence continues to resonate in the classrooms and laboratories of his former students and colleagues.