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CHEM40790

Academic Year 2025/2026

Modern Catalysis (CHEM40790)

Subject:
Chemistry
College:
Science
School:
Chemistry
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
7.5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Wilhelm Risse
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Modern Methods and Applications of Catalysis. This module will introduce students to recent developments in catalytic chemistry of use in synthetic chemistry. Many transition metals mediate synthetic transformations and the most useful are those that do so using catalytic amounts of metal, normally bound to ligands which help to solubilise the complexes. The ligands employed also can serve to accelerate catalysis.
This course is divided into three sections, the first of which introduces the the utility of photoredox catalysis in modern organic synthesis, with a focus on single electron transfer mechanistic pathways and transformations. The second section features recent advances in hydroformylation and olefin metathesis. The final section outlines the applications and mechanisms of organocatalysis, with an emphasis on asymmetric transformations.

This module will also contain a significant literature review on one of the topics listed above.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

a) describe the basics of photoredox catalysis using the ubiquitous Ru(bpy)32+ as an example (orbital diagrams, metal to ligand charge transfer, intersystem crossing, reductive/oxidative potential) and appreciate properties of a good photoredox catalyst;
b) describe and understand radical involved catalytic cycles (single electron transfer and redox transitions, oxidative/reductive quenching processes, hydrogen atom transfer) and transformations (Giese reaction, 2+2 cycloadditions, photoredox catalysis examples in dual transition metal and radical organocatalysis);
c) understand the applications and mechanisms of ring closing metathesis, ring opening metathesis and their use in synthetic chemistry;
d) outline selectivity for the formation of linear and branched aldehydes in hydroformylation reactions;
e) describe the development of asymmetric organocatalysis, with an emphasis on iminium ion and enamine chemistry
f) a literature review of one of the topics covered in the course should lead to a deep knowledge of that field.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Tutorial

9

Specified Learning Activities

43

Autonomous Student Learning

80

Total

156


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures and problem sets.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
CHEM40140 - Modern Methods& Catalysis


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Three assignments, i.e. two short and one long term assignment. The long term assignment is a written review on literature relevant to topics of the module. This homework is coupled with an oral prese Week 3, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
36
No
Exam (In-person): Two hour end-of-term written examination. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Graded No
60
No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Three short quizzes. Week 4, Week 8, Week 11 Graded No
4
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer 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
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The sequence of assessment is (a) Dr Loh (1 problem set); (b) Dr RIsse (1 problem set) and (c) Dr McGarrigle (1 Problem set).

Name Role
Dr Charles Loh Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Eoghan McGarrigle Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Wilhelm Risse Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor James Sullivan 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, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 33 Mon 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50