He found new methods for the synthesis of pyrylium salts (Balaban-Nenitzescu-Praill synthesis), of carbenes, triptamine, serotonin, two new syntheses for the indole nucleus, and a new method of polymerisation of ethylene.
mDia, or mammalian diaphanous, a Rho effector protein involved in cytoskeletal polymerisation (see DIAPH1)