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CM3111 - INORGANIC AND ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY

Academic Year 23/24 - Semester 1

Assessments:​

  • Closed-book Test 1: 20%

  • Closed-book Test 2: 20%

  • Closed-book Final Exam: 60%

Lecturer: Dr Edith Chan

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Course Overview: 

  • Part 1 (Transition Metal Chemistry): Symmetry elements & operations; point groups, Coordination Chemistry (Ligand classification, Crystal field theory, Magnetism, Jahn-Teller distortion, Spectrochemical series, Electronic absorption spectroscopy of TM complexes (dd transitions and charge transfer transitions)), Irving-Williams series, Qualitative MO theory for octahedral MO complexes, Basic solid state chemistry

  • Part 2 (Introductory Organometallic Chemistry): Pi-accepting ligands, Metal-to-ligand pi back bonding, 18-electron rule, Oxidative addition and reductive elimination, Metal carbonyl complexes, Sandwich compounds

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No. of responses : 3

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REVIEWS

What advice would you give to someone considering to take this course?

 

Anonymous: Have fun!

 

Flanders: This course starts with point group symmetry, which is a challenging topic that requires heavy 3D visualisation. For a given molecule, you will learn to identify symmetry planes, rotation axes, point of inversion, and axis of improper rotation. Investment in a molecular model kit may be helpful, especially since the teaching is done via old-fashioned methods: using images on slides. Mathematical details involving deriving MOs using point group is not covered. The discussion moves on to the classification of ligands, which is a very unique system but unfortunately with limited use outside the course. This part is easy but requires some rote memorisation of all the different categories. There was a significant emphasis on deriving the term symbols for a given electronic configuration, although the application and the meaning of such a concept was not taught. Term symbols are later used occasionally when covering Orgel diagrams and Tanabe Sugano diagrams, which was difficult to understand as the mathematical meaning of term symbols was not covered. 1/4 of the final paper was on counting electrons around metal atoms. Other topics covered include crystal field theory and ligand field theory, calculation of magnetic moment, UV-Vis and types of absorption, and solid state chemistry (packing structure). Tutorials are conducted every week, although the number of questions given is  limited so students might want to refer to textbooks for more practice questions. There are two tests (week 8 and week 12) and a final exam. There are no assignments. If you really want to, this is one of those courses where you can just cram everything a few days before a test.

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Anonymous: The test format can be a little confusing for the uninitiated. Unlike many other Chemistry tests which tests your ability to apply certain concepts, there was more emphasis on using specific wording/phrases in order to score well, so that is something to take note of. It is highly recommended to go to lectures, tutorials and consults to understand what the keywords are.

 

What did you enjoy or find most useful from this course?

 

Anonymous: Point Group symmetry/Group theory in the context of Chemistry is one of the most useful parts of the course but unfortunately it was not really taught in depth. 18 electron rule is also a useful concept to know for future courses.

 

What aspects of the course did you find most challenging, and why?

 

Anonymous: The grading for exams and midterms were really strict, and you have to know what keywords are required.

 

Flanders: Some concepts were explained without much clarity. The lectures were not recorded and had no videos, demonstrations, 3D models, or engaging activities. Thus, a large amount of independent learning is required (using the textbook).

 

Anonymous: The lack of recording for 8am lectures, so there was nothing to refer back to if students had missed out something during lecture. And the often opaque explanations for certain concepts. Multiple clarifications with Dr Chan are often necessary for you to understand the marking scheme of the assessments.

 

What resources did you find most helpful in helping you better understand the course material?

 

Anonymous: Chem libretexts was useful.

 

Flanders: Textbook by Housecroft and Sharpe for almost the entire syllabus, and Symotter for visualisation of point group symmetry.

 

Anonymous: "Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory" by Alan Vincent is a good resource to self-learn group theory if you have trouble understanding the lectures. Atkins Inorganic Chemistry or Housecroft/Sharpe Inorganic chemistry is also good in supplementing understanding of MO-corrected Crystal field theory or ligand field theory.

 

What other courses do you think should be taken before or concurrently with this course?

 

Anonymous: CM3191 can be taken concurrently.

 

Flanders: The inorganic part of CM3191 has significant overlap with CM3111, such as the electron-counting part.

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