CH4514 – Advanced Metal Chemistry and Green Chemistry
Lecturers:
Dr A. Kumar and Dr J. A. McNulty*
(*Module Convenor)
Aims:
To survey the coordination chemistry of the 2nd and 3rd row d-block and the f-block elements and to understand the optoelectronic properties of these complexes and applications of these elements. To understand the principles of green chemistry and the application of organometallic catalysts in the development of sustainable chemical processes.
Green Chemistry – Dr A. Kumar
Duration:
6 hours
Aims:
This course will give an overview of the principles of green chemistry, and various applications of organometallic catalysts in the development of sustainable chemical processes to impact organic synthesis, hydrogen economy and circular economy.
Objectives:
1. To understand the principles of green chemistry, sustainable chemistry and life cycle assessment.
2. To study organometallic catalysts and their mechanisms for the dehydrogenation and hydrogenation reactions as the green alternative to conventional oxidation/reduction reactions in organic synthesis as well as for hydrogen storage materials.
3. To study various routes for the chemical recycling of plastics catalysed by transition-metal complexes in the context of circular economy.
Second and Third Row Transition Metals, Lanthanides and Actinides – Dr J. A. McNulty
Duration:
14 hours
Aims:
This module is intended as an advanced coordination chemistry module and builds upon concepts explored in year 2 modules covering transition metals and coordination chemistry and also bonding and spectroscopy in transition metal complexes. This part of the course explores the lower reaches of the Periodic Table by investigating the chemistry of the 2nd and 3rd row d-block and f-block elements. The coverage of the ‘heavier’ metals seeks to compare and contrast the properties mentioned above e.g. chemical, spectroscopic and magnetic with those of their lighter counterparts e.g. the first transition series. At the end of the course students should be in a position to fully understand the chemistry of the heavier elements and rationalise the trends in chemical properties both down and across the Periodic Table.
Objectives:
1. To understand and explain periodic trends across the d-block transition elements, including melting points, atomic and metallic radii and stabilities of oxidation states.
2. To explain the electronic and photophysical properties of typical 4d and 5d metal complexes and describe some of the applications of 4d and 5d metal complexes in photoredox catalysis.
3. To understand and explain the coordination chemistry of 4d and 5d metal complexes and how these differ to 3d metal complexes.
4. To explain the physical properties, coordination chemistry and electronic configuration of the lanthanoids, including trends observed across the periodic table, term symbols, micro-states and the nature of absorption and emission.
5. To explain the physical properties, coordination chemistry and electronic configuration of the actinoids, including their radioactive character, their absorption properties and trends observed across the periodic table.
6. To understand and describe how the chemistry of the lanthanoids and actinoids can be exploited for specific applications.
7. To understand and explain the coordination chemistry of lanthanoids and actinoids and how these differ to d-block metal complexes.