This module builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired by successful completion of the Year 1 module CH5102, to explore further the chemistry of main group and transition elements. 

Trends in the behaviour of the p-block elements and their compounds are considered, with particular focus on the inert pair effect, the role of d-orbitals, p-bonding, and structure and bonding in main group and “electron-deficient’ compounds.  

The mechanisms of substitution and redox reactions of transition metal complexes are described. Trends in reactivity and magnetic properties are explained in terms of ligand field theory. 

You will develop a formal understanding of bonding in transition metal complexes, as a platform for identifying the spectroscopy and reactivity of such complexes. 

You will develop a systematic knowledge of organometallic chemistry, and thereby explore some of the conceptual links between organic and inorganic chemistry. 

• Rationalise trends in chemical properties within/across groups in terms of electronic and atomic properties and identify characteristic structural building blocks of extended structures 

• Evaluate the roles of π-bonding, inert pair effect, and variations in overlap and bond strength in influencing properties and predict the structures and properties of yet unseen cluster molecules based on electron counting; 

• Derive – in ligand field terms – orbital energy diagrams of tetrahedral and square planar complexes and use these to interpret both magnetic properties and their UV/vis absorption spectra 

• Derive and interpret MO diagrams for octahedral complexes and related organometallics and u this as the for understanding the 18e rule  

• Use an MO bonding description to describe the bonding of common ligands to transition metals. Appreciate synthetic methods to make simple complexes. 

• Appreciate and predict basic reactivity of transition metal organometallic complexes, exemplified by ligand substitution, oxidative addition, reductive elimination, and migratory insertion reactions. 

The module content will be delivered via face-to-face activities supported by on-line video content. Material will be supported by formative self-assessment tests at regular points in the delivery schedule, often linked to tutorial content. 

The module will consist of 40 x 1-hour lectures and 6 x 1-hour tutorials and 2 x1-hour tutorials divided appropriately between topics.

The tutorial format will be a small group discussion. 

The week-by-week delivery schedule and timing of formative tasks will be described in the module map. 

Intellectual Skills: 

This module will enable you to: 

• Apply theoretical frameworks to observed properties 

• Extrapolate from the fundamental principles and examples given in lectures to related but unseen examples 

Chemistry-Specific Skills: 

This module will develop your subject specific skills across important areas of Inorganic Chemistry. You will: 

• Use MO diagrams, with electron counting protocols, to establish both p and d block metal complex structures and suggest likely reaction pathways 

• Use spectroscopic data to elucidate or verify proposed structures 

• Use the electronic structure of a complex to derive the magnetic and spectroscopic properties of metal complexes 

• Use the concepts of sigma donation and pi back bonding to account for the stability of organometallic complexes, and to suggest patterns of reactivity 

• Use quantum mechanical and group theory concepts to develop bonding theory 

Employability skills:    

This module is delivered and aligns with the following University Graduate Attributes:    

• Contribute to discussions, negotiate, and present with impact.  

• Consider own personal and professional ethical, social, and environmental responsibilities.  

• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity, reliability, and competence.  

• Be mindful of the Climate Emergency and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals  

• Identify, define, and analyse complex issues and ideas, exercising critical judgment in evaluating sources of information.  

• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and engage in the pursuit of new knowledge and understanding. 

• Investigate problems and offer effective solutions, reflecting on and learning from successes and failures.  

• Generate original ideas and apply creative, imaginative, and innovative thinking in response to identified needs and problems.  

• Actively reflect on own studies achievements and self-identity  

• Demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and creativity in dealing with challenges, and be open to change.  

• Identify and articulate own skills, knowledge and understanding confidently and in a variety of contexts.  

• Engage with new ideas, opportunities, and technologies, building knowledge and experience to make informed decisions about own future. 

Graduate Attributes – Assessment:    

Coursework                    20%  

• Identify, define and analyse complex issues and ideas, exercising critical judgment in evaluating sources of information. 

• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and engage in the pursuit of new knowledge and understanding. 

• Generate original ideas and apply creative, imaginative and innovative thinking in response to identified needs and problems. 

• Take the initiative to act on own ideas and the ideas of others, balancing risk and returns and making things happen. 

Exam                            80%  

• Communicate complex ideas effectively. 

• Identify, define and analyse complex issues and ideas, exercising critical judgment in evaluating sources of information. 

• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and engage in the pursuit of new knowledge and understanding. 

• Generate original ideas and apply creative, imaginative and innovative thinking in response to identified needs and problems. 

• Take the initiative to act on own ideas and the ideas of others, balancing risk and returns and making things happen. 

Sustainable Development Goals:     

This module is delivered and aligns in working towards the following Sustainable Development Goals:   

Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 

Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 

Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation 

Tutorials throughout the module (3 in each semester) will provide formative feedback, allowing you the chance to assess your competence. Formative workshops will be used to enhance this process. 

Coursework will provide 20% of the credit and allow you the chance to assess your progress and calibrate your performance. A final exam at the end of the module provides the bulk (80%) of the summative assessment. 

Tutorials and formative workshops will train you in problem solving associated with the syllabus, and incorporate material being taught at the time. 

Coursework will address learning outcomes 1–3, with the end of module exam addressing all the learning outcomes. 

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme. If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme. You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period.  

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session. 

Main group chemistry 

Ionic versus covalent bonding; role of d-orbitals; π-bonding; structure and bonding; aromaticity. 

Chemistry of the p-block elements (Groups 13-16): systematic survey; ionic vs. covalent; trends in reactivity and structure; borazine, phosphazene and SN rings; multiple bonding between heavier main group elements (disilenes, distannenes, etc) 

Electron-deficient compounds: diborane, Wade’s rules, carboranes, other main group clusters. 

Organometallic chemistry of main group elements (s- & p-block): synthesis, reactivity, structure, and bonding 

Coordination chemistry 

Mechanisms of reactions of metal complexes 

Trends in reaction rates as a function of periodicity. Electronic influences on rates. 

Fundamental mechanistic types – associative, dissociative, interchange. 

Determination of mechanisms, fundamental rate equation, thermodynamic parameters, dependence on pressure, stereochemical studies, labelling studies. 

Other mechanisms – Bailar twist, conjugate base mechanism. 

Ligand influences on reactivity of coordination complexes in aqueous solution: p-base/p-acid ligands. 

Reaction mechanisms in square planar complexes, dual pathway mechanism. 

Trans effect and trans influence. Werner’s studies on square planar complexes. 

Oxidation reduction reactions, inner sphere, and outer sphere mechanisms. 

Principle of microscopic reversibility. 

Transition metal spectroscopy 

Revision of term symbols; 

Electronic transitions and ligand field theory; spectrochemical series and ligand type; 

Spectra of Oh vs. Td; 

Jahn-Teller effects; 

Symmetry and Tanabe-Sagano diagrams; 

Orgel diagrams; 

Racah B/C parameters and ligand donor type; 

d-Block Organometallic Chemistry 

MO diags for octahedral complexes: sigma and pi bonding. Electron counting, co-ordination compounds vs organometallics. The 18-electron rule and exceptions to it, including 16 electron square planar complexes. 

Bonding of ligands to metal centres. 

Carbon monoxide: sigma donation, pi back bonding, effect on IR spectra 

Phosphines: bonding and steric effects 

Hydrides and dihydrogen: bonding, back bonding, and transformation to dihydride. Recognition that is oxidative addition. 

Organic molecules as ligands, exemplified through systems such as: h1 bonding with alkyls; h2 with alkenes; h3 with allyls; h4 with cyclobutadiene; h5 with cyclopentadienyl; h6 with benzene 

Carbenes: Fischer, Schrock and NHC. Other less common ligands 

Reactions of organometallics 

Ligand substitution exemplified by carbonyl replacement, the differences between 16e and 18e complexes (associative vs dissociative substitution). Masked dissociative pathways. 

Oxidative Addition and Reductive Elimination. 

1,1-Migratory insertion reactions, as exemplified by migration onto carbonyl ligands. 

1,2-Insertions and β-hydride elimination. 

Bonding (group theory) 

Quantum mechanics and group theory descriptions of orbitals, and their overlap, leading to the bonding in diatomic and polyatomic molecules; 

Molecular orbital and valence bond theories for small molecules and coordination complexes.