Module manager: Patrick McGowan
Email: P.C.McGowan@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Completion of level 1 of a Chemistry programme similar to that at Leeds, or equivalent.
CHEM2211
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module builds the knowledge of organic and inorganic chemistry and focusses on the structure, bonding and reactivity of organometallic compounds of both main group metals and transition metals. It includes the role of main group organometallic compounds as synthetic reagents, and the crucial role of transition metal complexes as catalysts for a variety of coupling and metathesis reactions which are the backbone of modern organic synthesis.
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- understand the relevance and use of organometallic compounds to synthetic chemistry;
- recognise that there are consequences associated with choosing to use organometallic compounds;
- have an appreciation of the bonding and reactivity of organo-main group chemistry;
- recognise and be able to illustrate the importance of different types of bonding and structure in organo-transition metal chemistry
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:
1. understand and describe the bonding, structure and reactivity of organo-main group compounds;
2. understand the principles of electron deficiency and electron precise molecules and how they impact structure and reactivity;
3. recognise the importance of different types of bonding and structure in organo-transition metal chemistry;
4. understand the origin of the 18 electron rule, and its importance for chemical stability and reactivity;
5. understand the synthesis and electronic characteristics of complexes of phosphine, carbonyl, nitrosyl, arene, enyl, cyclopentadienyl, indenyl ligands, carbenes and N-Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs).
6. demonstrate synthesis and awareness of the structure and reactivity of different types of organometallic reagents (R2Zn, RZnZ, R2CuLi);
7. understand and solve problems involving the use of Pd reagents in C-C and C-X bond-forming reactions.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills:
a. Manage time and plan work to meet deadlines.
b. Use the principles of organometallic chemistry to solve unseen problems.
1- Main group organometallics introduction to organometallic complexes; bonding in main group complexes; relevance, importance, preparative methods and reactivity group I and II complexes including Grignard reagents; synthesis and properties of electron deficient group III metal alkyl compounds; synthesis and properties of electron precise group IV compounds.
2- Transition metal organometallics Ligand Field theory and π-donor and π-acceptor ligands. Trans effect. 18 electron rule, using electron counts for understanding stability and reactivity of complexes. Bonding and reactivity of organometallic transition metal complexes with different classes of ligand such as carbonyls, phosphines, alkenes, arenes, enyls and carbenes.
3- Organometallics in synthesis Reactivity and selectivity of main group organometallics such as: RLi, RMgX, R2Zn, RZnX, R2CuLi; Pd-catalysed coupling reactions such as Suzuki-Myiaura and Buchwald-Hartwig reactions; transition-metal catalysed metathesis reactions.
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 22 | 1 | 22 |
| Seminar | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Private study hours | 76 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 24 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
There will be the opportunity for students to submit written work prior to two tutorials. The tutor will mark and return the feedback.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team