CHEM30360 Advanced Transition Metal Chem

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module is divided into two main sections. The first part focuses on coordination chemistry and properties associated with transition metal complexes. In particular, electron configuration of metals (high and low spin), geometry, trans- and the Jan-Teller effects are discussed. Ligand-metal bonding models are presented along with an introductory to magnetic properties and analysis by electron spin resonance. In the second part of this module, the focus is on crystallography. Topics include: introduction to diffraction; single-crystal versus powder diffraction; single-crystal solution and refinement methods; polymorphism; crystallographic disorder; powder diffraction advantages and drawbacks.

Extra help is available in the form of additional material provided on Brightspace.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students are expected to able to complete following:

Draw correct crystal field energy diagrams for common coordination geometries.
Determine if a transition metal is high or low spin and write the electron configuration.
Draw a molecular orbital energy diagram for a six-coordinate complex with sigma donors and for a six-coordinate complex with a combination of three sigma donors and either three pi-acceptor ligands or three pi-donor ligands.
Understand the basics of metal-based magnetism and calculate a magnetic moment for a given first row transition metal complex.
Draw molecular bonding diagrams including hyper-conjugation effects.
Discuss and draw EPR energy diagrams.
Discuss and draw Moessbauer energy diagrams for iron complexes.
Understand the concept of crystallinity.
Understand the basic fundamentals of diffraction (e.g. Miller indices, Bragg Law).
Demonstrate the ability to index powder diffraction data for simple systems.

Indicative Module Content:

Crystal field model of bonding in transition metal complexes.

Molecular orbital model of bonding in transition metal complexes

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy

Moessbauer Spectroscopy

Concept of Crystallinity

Principles of X-ray diffraction

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Small Group

2
Laboratories

24
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Total

120
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures -
Practical classes
Tutorial Problem Sheets
Diffraction workshop (ca 2 hours) to include solving a crystal structure. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
CHEM20100 - Basis of Inorganic Chemistry


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Lab Report: Report on completed experiments. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

30
Examination: 2 hour end of semester examination. 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

60
Continuous Assessment: Two short in-class tests, one set by each of the two lecturers on the course. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

10

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Grades supplied on homeworks and laboratory reports; individual feedback available in face-to-face meetings.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Tony Keene Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Olivia Breen Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 33 Mon 15:00 - 16:50
Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23 Tues 11:00 - 13:50
Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23 Tues 15:00 - 17:50
Laboratory Offering 2 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Laboratory Offering 2 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23 Wed 15:00 - 17:50
Spring