Abstract: Claimed is a method for making an organofunctional compound of formula RbMcXd comprising the following steps: (i) contacting a transition metal catalyst with a mixture including hydrogen gas and a halide of formula MXa to form a M-containing transition metal catalyst; (ii) contacting the M-containing transition metal catalyst with an organohalide to form the organofunctional compound of formula R McXd. In the above formulae, M is an element selected from antimony, arsenic, bismuth, boron, cadmium, gallium, germanium, indium, lead, mercury, phosphorus, selenium, sulfur, tellurium, and tin. X is a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom. Subscripts have values matching the valences. R is a monovalent organic group. Examples of species of the organofunctional compound prepared according to the method described above include dimethyldichlorogermane (i.e.