KJM5210 – Organometallic Chemistry
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course gives a thorough introduction to organometallic chemistry with focus on the transition metals. The course starts with fundamental molecular properties and gradually develops this into practical applied catalysis. Structure and bonding issues in organometallic compounds are discussed in view of the 18-electron rule. Relevant and modern methods for characterization of organometallic compounds are described.
Different reactive ligand types are discussed, including σ-bonded ligands such as alkyl, aryl, and?hydride, as well as π-bonded ligands such as carbonyl, alkene, diene, alkyne, cyclopentadienyl, and arene. The properties of important ancillary ligands such as phosphine and N-heterocyclic carbenes are given special attention.
Organometallic reaction mechanisms are thoroughly discussed with emphasis on ligand substitution, oxidative addition, reductive elimination, insertion and elimination reactions, nucleophilic and electrophilic addition and abstraction at ligands, and the involvement of carbenes in metathesis and polymerization. The accumulated know-how at this point serves as the foundation for discussions about how organometallic complexes are utilized in homogeneous catalysis and in the activation of small molecules. The application of organometallics in catalysis is highlighted with selected important industrial processes.
Learning outcome
After completing the course you should:
- have a good overview of the fundamental principles of organotransition-metal chemistry and know how chemical properties are affected by metals and ligands
- be able to use knowledge about structure and bonding issues to understand the stability and reactivity of simple organometallic complexes
- have insight into the use of modern methods to characterize organometallic compounds
- understand fundamental reaction types and mechanisms and how to combine these to understand efficient catalytic processes
- know important applications of organometallic homogeneous catalysis in the production of large-scale (bulk) and smaller-scale (fine chemicals) production
Admission to the course
Students admitted at UiO must?apply for courses?in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may?apply to take this course as a single course student.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
Recommended previous knowledge
One or more of KJM3000 – Applied Spectroscopy, KJM3200 – Organic Chemistry II, KJM3300 – Physical Chemistry II (discontinued) will provide?a good starting point.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with KJM9210 – Organometallic Chemistry.
Teaching
The course duration is one semester. The teaching includes:
- 36-40 hours of lectures and
- 8 hours of group seminars.
Attendance at the first lecture is mandatory. If you are unable to attend, you must inform the student administration at the Department of Chemistry before the first lecture starts, or else you will lose your place in the course.
Examination
- Final oral exam which counts 100% towards the final grade.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: KJM9210 – Organometallic Chemistry
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.