CM3212 - Transition Metal Chemistry

Academic Year 24/25 - Semester 2

Assessments:​​

• CA1: 25%

• CA2: 25%

• CA3: 25%

• Individual Essay: 25%

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Lecturers: A/P Valiyaveettil, Suresh (Part 1) & Asst Prof Xi Yumeng (Part 2)
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Course Overview

Part 1 is focused on synthesis/degradation of polymers, while Part 2 is focused on recycling of polymers.

• Part 1 Topics: Chain Growth Polymerization, Step Growth Polymerization, Living Polymerization, Properties of polymers, Polymer degradation, Polymer recycling, Biopolymers.

• Part 2 Topics: Polymer degradation, Mechanical recycling, Chemical recycling, Enzymatic recycling, Circular polymers, Dynamic covalent chemistry, Polymer upcycling, Biomass.
   

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No. of Responses : 1​

Course Difficulty (1-5): 4​

Time for learning content (hrs): 8

Time to complete assignments (hrs): 5

Course Pace: Just right

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REVIEWS

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

Anonymous: You can technically cram the content before each CA, but best is to be consistent. Also, you will need to draw many chemical structures and mechanisms, especially for part 1, and many Organic Chemistry concepts learnt in CM3121 are linked to this course. This course is like an application of Organic Chemistry, whereby some upcycling strategies make use of Organic Chemistry concepts like carbene etc.

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

Anonymous: The profs were very approachable. The concepts learned are very relevant to the current issue of recycling plastics as many oil & gas companies that also manufacture polymers such as ExxonMobil, are trying to come up with sustainable polymers strategies. Thus, it is useful if you want to break into this industry

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

Anonymous: Some concepts of recycling and upcycling strategies are difficult to grasp especially in Part 2. The CA questions were manageable, if you have paid close attention in lectures and tutorials, and understand the concepts well. Although there are some questions that are challenging in the CAs.
 

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

Anonymous: The lecture notes and tutorial questions are sufficient.

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

Anonymous: CM3121 should be taken before or concurrently because the concepts are closely linked to this course.