In the CCVD process, a precursor compound, usually a metal-organic compound or a metal salt, is added to the burning gas.

Metal-organic compounds (jargon: metalorganics, metallo-organics) are a class of chemical compounds that contain metals and organic ligands, which confer solubility in organic solvents or volatility.

Metals passivation: Certain materials can be used as additives which can be impregnated into the catalyst or added to the FCC feedstock in the form of metal-organic compounds.

Kahn studied at Chimie ParisTech in Paris and received his PhD for work on metal-organic compounds with Michaël Bigorgne in 1969.