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CHEM30360

Academic Year 2024/2025

Advanced Transition Metal Chem (CHEM30360)

Subject:
Chemistry
College:
Science
School:
Chemistry
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Grace Morgan
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is divided into two main sections. The first part focuses on coordination chemistry and properties associated with transition metal complexes. In particular, electron configuration of metals (high and low spin), geometry, trans- and the Jan-Teller effects are discussed. Ligand-metal bonding models are presented along with an introductory to magnetic properties and analysis by electron spin resonance. In the second part of this module, the focus is on crystallography. Topics include: introduction to diffraction; single-crystal versus powder diffraction; single-crystal solution and refinement methods; polymorphism; crystallographic disorder; powder diffraction advantages and drawbacks.

Extra help is available in the form of additional material provided on Brightspace.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students are expected to able to complete following:

Draw correct crystal field energy diagrams for common coordination geometries.
Determine if a transition metal is high or low spin and write the electron configuration.
Draw a molecular orbital energy diagram for a six-coordinate complex with sigma donors and for a six-coordinate complex with a combination of three sigma donors and either three pi-acceptor ligands or three pi-donor ligands.
Understand the basics of metal-based magnetism and calculate a magnetic moment for a given first row transition metal complex.
Draw molecular bonding diagrams including hyper-conjugation effects.
Discuss and draw EPR energy diagrams.
Discuss and draw Moessbauer energy diagrams for iron complexes.
Understand the concept of crystallinity.
Understand the basic fundamentals of diffraction (e.g. Miller indices, Bragg Law).
Demonstrate the ability to index powder diffraction data for simple systems.

Indicative Module Content:

Crystal field model of bonding in transition metal complexes.

Molecular orbital model of bonding in transition metal complexes

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy

Moessbauer Spectroscopy

Concept of Crystallinity

Principles of X-ray diffraction

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

70

Lectures

24

Small Group

2

Laboratories

24

Total

120


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures -
Practical classes
Tutorial Problem Sheets
Diffraction workshop (ca 2 hours) to include solving a crystal structure.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
CHEM20100 - Basis of Inorganic Chemistry


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): 2-hour end of trimester exam. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Graded No
60
No
Practical Skills Assessment: Completion of four laboratory practicals and associated lab reports. Week 5 Graded No
30
No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Two in-class tests and powder X-ray workshop. Week 5, Week 12 Graded No
10
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Grades supplied on homeworks and laboratory reports; individual feedback available in face-to-face meetings.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Tony Keene Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 33 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 33 Tues 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23 Tues 11:00 - 13:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23 Tues 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 2 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 2 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23 Wed 15:00 - 17:50