Bioinorganic, Organometallic and Materials Chemistry (SA)

Overview

STAFF

NAME CONTRIBUTION
Dr C. Lagunas
c.lagunas@qub.ac.uk Bioinorganic Chemistry (12 Lectures, Seminars)
Dr. A.C. Marr
a.marr@qub.ac.uk Transition Metal Organometallic Chemistry And Homogeneous Catalysis (12 Lectures / Seminars
Dr M Swadzba-Kwasny
m.swadzba-kwasny@qub.ac.uk Inorganic Materials (12 Lectures, Seminars)

Summary of content:
• Bioinorganic Chemistry (10 Lectures, 2 Seminars):
• This course focuses on the main roles of metal ions in biology and medicine, and on how to apply principles of inorganic and coordination chemistry to the chemistry of life, including examples of ‘synthetic mimics’ for biological processes.
• Introduction to Bioinorganic Chemistry
• Biological Chemistry of zinc, copper, iron and cobalt.
• Metals in other biological processes (e.g., photosynthesis)
• Inorganic Medicinal Chemistry
• Bioinorganic Materials

• Transition Metal Organometallic Chemistry And Homogeneous Catalysis (12 Lectures/Seminars):
• The student should become proficient in the organometallic chemistry of the transition metals. He / she should understand and be able to explain important concepts in the bonding of common ligands and how these relate to the compound’s reactivity. He / she should be able to apply this knowledge to the application of transition metal organometallic complexes in homogeneous catalysis, including an understanding of, and an ability to construct, catalytic cycles.
• Organotransition Metal Chemistry.
• Introduction.
• Electron counting.
• Carbonyls.
• Phosphines.
• Introduction to carbene complexes.
• Sigma-Organyls and introduction to hydrides.
• Pi-Bonded organic ligands. Eta(2)-Alkene.
• Carbocyclic polyenes. Eta(5)-Cyclopentadienyl and eta(6)-arene.
• Homogeneous catalysis.
• Why homogeneous catalysis, selectivity.
• Review of organometallic reactions.
• Metal-mediated organic reactions.
• Hydrogenation.
• Reactions involving carbonyl complexes.
• Polymerisations.
• Coupling reactions.
• Cyclisations.

• Inorganic Materials (10 Lectures, 2 Seminars):
• Summary: The course focuses on properties and applications of range of inorganic materials. Emphasis will be placed on relating structure to functionality while creating a familiarity with the chemistry and applications of common compounds.
• Lecture 1. Introduction to inorganic materials chemistry
• Lecture 2. Semiconductors and their properties and applications
• Lecture 3. Defects, ionic conductivity and solid electrolytes
• Lecture 4. Magnetic and electronic properties of materials I
• Lecture 5. Magnetic and electronic properties of materials II
• Lecture 6. Single molecular magnets, superconductivity and high temperature-super-conductors
• Lecture 7. Superconductors II and their applications
• Lecture 8. Inorganic materials applications
• Lecture 9. Nanomaterials and nanotechnology introduction
• Lecture 10. Nanochemistry and applications of nanomaterials

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course students are expected to be able to describe and explain aspects of solid state chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, organotransition metal chemistry and homogeneous catalysis. In particular, students should be able to:
• understand the properties of inorganic materials,
• predict properties for a given compound,
• relate structure to functionality of given compounds,
• apply principles of inorganic chemistry to explain the role of metal ions in biology,
• relate an element's chemical properties to its ability to perform biological function(s),
• explain how metal compounds can act as synthetic biological mimics,
• describe and explain the bonding in and reactions of organometallic compounds,
• count electrons in organotransition metal compounds and predict their stability, bonding modes and reactivity,
• understand and construct homogeneous catalysis mechanisms.

Skills

Learners are expected to demonstrate the following on completion of the module:
• Subject specific problem-solving skills in exams, tutorials and seminars.

Assessment

ASSESSMENT

Exam session Semester 1

Assessment Profile:
Element type Element weight (%)
1. Examination 85
2. Tutorials 15

Course Requirements:
• 70% submission AND 70% attendance to tutorials (i.e., 4 out of 6)
Assessment:
• Examination 85 %
• Tutorial 15 %
• Note: both the exam and total coursework elements must be passed at 40%.