Todd, Paul Kendrick, authorNeilson, James, advisorFinke, Richard, committee memberPrieto, Amy, committee memberHenry, Chuck, committee memberMa, Kaka, committee member2020-06-222022-06-152020https://hdl.handle.net/10217/208592For the kinetic pathway to influence the outcome of a solid-state reaction, diffusion barriers must be lowered or circumvented through low-temperature chemistry. Traditional ceramic synthesis use high temperatures to overcome diffusion, yet they result in the thermodynamically stable product. If the desired product lies higher in energy, they are unattainable at such temperatures. Extrinsic parameters, like pressure, can be used to change the stability of products (kinetic trapping), yet require extreme conditions. Another strategy involves kinetically controlling the energy barriers of the reaction to select for a given product. Here, we use solid-state metathesis reactions to understand and control kinetic pathways in the formation of complex oxides and binary metal sulfides. Through simple changes to precursor composition, three unique polymorphs of yttrium manganese oxide are synthesized, two of which are metastable phases. Using in situ diagnostics, the reaction pathways are characterized to identity intermediates and the temperature regimes at which they react. Using this information we identify why different polymorphs form using different precursors. Additionally, small functional organosilicon molecules are shown to catalyze the formation of iron(II) sulfide using metathesis reactions. Here we show that the Si-O functional group stabilizes intermediate species along the pathway to avoid forming more stable intermediates. The result is higher yields of FeS2 at lower temperatures and times. The included chapters will hopefully better inform future solid-state chemists when exploring new composition spaces and reaction pathways.born digitaldoctoral dissertationsengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.kineticsoxidessulfidesmetathesisdiffractionsolid-stateText