This module will give an overview of homogeneous catalysis, and will contain material from organometallic chemistry (catalytic cycles of selected key catalytic reactions, relating the catalytic mechanisms to fundamental organometallic concepts), including industrially-relevant reactions. An overview of reaction kinetics, with a specific focus on how they can be applied to catalytic reactions, will be provided, along with material relating to chemo- and stereoselectivity.

• Construct catalytic cycles using fundamental organometallic reaction steps. 
• Understand how p-block metals can be used to effect catalytic transformations. 
• Understand how to measure and analyse kinetic data that relate to catalytic reactions. 
• Relate kinetic data to the underlying catalytic mechanism. 
• Propose mechanistic details by interpreting experimental data. 
• Explain chemical- and regio-selectivity in terms of a catalytic mechanism. 

22 x 1 h Lectures, 3 x 1 h Workshops (2 formative, 1 summative) 

Analysis of experimental data to obtain an understanding of chemical reactions. 

Interpretation of experimental data. 

Derivation of kinetic equations based upon catalytic cycles. 

Construction of catalytic cycles. 

The module is summatively assessed via in course assessments.

There is no examination for this module.

Mechanistic organometallic chemistry 

Reactions of metal-alkene, metal-CO and metal-alkyl complexes relevant to homogeneous catalysis and a discussion of mechanisms (hydrogenation (transfer hydrogenation, H borrowing, Wilkinson’s substrate scope, Crabtree’s catalyst), carbonylation (hydroformylation, Monsanto, Eastman), metathesis, asymmetric catalysis). Kinetics of catalysis applied to the above-mentioned catalytic cycles.