CHEM 358: Organometallic Chemistry

Online or in CMC 306, Period 4a (MW 1:00-2:10 PM; F 1:50-2:50 PM)

We will use class meeting time for a variety of purposes, including lecture, group problem solving, primary literature discussion, and presentations.

Office Hours (see Moodle page for Zoom link):

• Tu 1:30-2:30 PM
• Th 10:00-11:00 AM

In this course, we will take a small-molecule-activation approach to the field of organometallic chemistry. Using simple yet powerful techniques such as electron counting and isoelectronic/isolobal arguments, we will build a foundation for explaining and predicting the structure, bonding, and reactivity of transition-metal complexes. I think that this is a fascinating and important area of chemistry, and I hope that by the end of the course (if not before) you will share my excitement!

Prereqs: A basic knowledge of general (CHEM 123) and organic chemistry (CHEM 233/234) is assumed. Beyond that, I expect that there will be a range of backgrounds. We’re in this together! Be on the lookout for connections to other classes or research experiences that you can use to strengthen your knowledge and help others learn. Be sure to keep me in the loop and let me know if you think my assumptions about background knowledge or the pace of the course are not appropriate.

This is an upper-level course with a strong emphasis on the primary literature, covering much of the content of a graduate course in organometallic chemistry, and is great preparation for Chemistry Comps!

Primary Learning Goals:

• Identify key patterns in structure, bonding, and reactivity for organic and organometallic complexes
• Apply these patterns to propose mechanisms for new reactions (including catalytic reactions) and understand/contextualize findings from the literature
• Evaluate and critically analyze the primary organometallic literature, including devising experiments to test mechanistic hypotheses
• Assess and articulate the utility of transition metals in organic synthesis

Ancillary skills:

• Peer teaching and learning through group work
• Framing good questions and critically reading the primary literature
• Using databases (SciFinder, Web of Science, CSD) to search the primary literature
• Constructing an overarching narrative from multiple primary sources

Here are some important details about the structure of this online course:

• Moodle will serve as the centralized course space – All information about the course will be posted on Moodle and I will use Moodle messaging for announcement. All course topics will be organized in appropriate sections on Moodle, and you will use Moodle to turn in completed assignments. I am hoping we can use Slack (‘Organometallica’ channel) as an informal channel for asking questions of each other, sharing insights and cool papers we stumble across, and plumbing the depths of Organometallica!
• Lessons will be posted as short (~20 minute) videos – I will record videos that will be linked from Moodle and Panopto addressing a variety of topics during the term. These will stand in for the “lecture portion” of class time, since I don’t want to waste our synchronous time lecturing at you.
• Additional resources – A variety of additional resources (practice problems, literature readings, my notes, useful websites and notes from others) will be posted on Moodle. You also may find it helpful to check out the following texts to provide addition perspective on the material we will cover (all available from the library):
  • Miessler & Spessard, Organometallic chemistry (3^rd)
  • Crabtree, The organometallic chemistry of the transition metals (available electronically)
  • Hartwig, Organotransition metal chemistry: from bonding to catalysis

• Synchronous activities
  • Class meetings: We will have Zoom class meetings every week on Wednesdays and Fridays during the scheduled time. Mondays will frequently be used for open Q&A (either in-person or hybrid) or as an opportunity for breakout meetings. I will update you on the meeting plan in advance of each week.
  • Office hours: I will host open office hours on Tuesday afternoons (1–2 PM) and schedulable (in 20-min blocks) office hours on Thursday mornings (10–11 AM). I am happy to schedule additional times as needed, just let me know what works for you.
• Organometallic Weekly Update – To facilitate communication and minimize the number of emails you receive, I will put together a newsletter each week that will preview new material for the week, outline assignments that are due and videos that will be posted, and give info about all synchronous meetings. I will also provide a suggested weekly workflow since it can be difficult to keep up with everything in a primarily online setting.