Inorganic Chemistry: synthesis, characterization and spectroscopic properties of transition metal compounds.    We have been interested in the development of new materials for chemical and biological applications.  For almost 20 years, we have been studying the chemistry of di-2-pyridyl ketone and its derivatives that include hydrazone, semicarbazones, thiosemicarbazones and their metal complexes, and demonstrated their use as molecular sensors for the detection and determination of trace amounts of biological and chemical substrates. Our interest in the chemistry of di-2-pyridyl ketone derivatives stem from their diverse coordination behavior, use as anti-cancer agents, molecular sensors, metal-clusters for single-molecule magnets, and catalytic activities. For example, di-2-pyridyl ketone thiosemicarbazones are currently being used as potent and selective anti-tumour agents.   Our approach is to explore, in a systematic manner, how slight variations in the composition of metal compounds of di-2-pyridyl ketone derivatives affect their physical and biological properties. We employ a variety of techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance, electronic absorption, infrared spectrum, electrochemical and X-ray crystallography, in our research to elucidate the authenticities of the materials we develop.    We have published over 70 journal articles, with over 55 from research conducted at The UWI.   https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mohammed_Bakir?ev=hdr_xprf   http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=kMEmxzQAAAAJ