Coordination Chemistry and Catalysis

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Lionel Delaude

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course is devoted to the physical chemistry of coordination complexes. In a first part, an historical background and the fundamentals of modern coordination chemistry are presented. Then, the electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of complexes are discussed in great length on the basis of quantum mechanics. Last but not least, the final chapter focuses on some important catalytic applications of coordination compounds in organic synthesis, as well as in enzymatic systems and for human medicine.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of this course, students will be able:

• to understand the fundamentals of physical chemistry applied to coordination complexes,
• to predict the electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of these compounds,
• to explain their catalytic activity.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Notions of quantum chemistry, group theory, molecular spectroscopy, organometallic chemistry, and inorganic chemistry.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Fifteen lessons of 120 minutes each will be given during the first quadrimester. Upon student request, a few of these lessons may be devoted to solving the problems listed in the lecture notes.

Recommended or required readings

Detailled lecture notes including end of chapter exercises are available as pdf files from the student portal or via the web site http://www.lcfi.ulg.ac.be/coord/. Most of the chapters are written in French. However, the last part of the course is available in English to stress the importance of this language in the modern scientific world and to connect with the organometallic chemistry course of the third year bachelor in chemical sciences.

Assessment methods and criteria

A written examination lasting 3 h will be organized during the january session. It will be followed on the same day or the day after by a brief optional oral examination lasting 15 minutes to allow the student to comment and explain his/her written answers. The use of lecture notes, a vade mecum on group theory, and any other personal manuscript notes is permitted during the assessment. With the possible exception of a non programmable calculator, the use of any electronic device (mobile phone, computer, notepad, camera,...)  is strictly prohibited during the examinations.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Lionel Delaude
Institut de chimie organique
Bâtiment B6a, local 3.70c
Tel: (04) 366-3496
E-mail: l.delaude@ulg.ac.be

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