Teaching

General Notes:

  • Class notes will cover exams; however, students are advised to get a copy of the references shown below for further reading and learning.

  • Grades will be based on two exams (mid-term and final) and homework problem sets.

  • Problem sets will be sent out via email. They will be collected and graded.


M.Sc. Level Courses


Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

Topics: This course will introduce fundamentals of an upper-level Inorganic chemistry course. First, basics of bonding theory (VSEPR, Crystal and Ligand field theories, MO theory) in Inorganic compounds will be introduced. In the following discussions, basics of symmetry and group theory will also be introduced. The topic of symmetry is extremely important in understanding molecular properties of organic and inorganic molecules including optical and spectral properties. Therefore, plenty of time will be dedicated for covering this topic. Other relevant topics such as donor-acceptor (acid-base) chemistry and diverse aspects of coordination chemistry will also be covered.


References:

  1. F. A. Cotton and G. Wilkinson, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, 6th edn., Wiley-Interscience, 1999.

  2. J. E. Huheey, E. A. Keiter, R. L. Keiter, O. K. Medhi, Inorganic Chemistry, 4th edn., Pearson Education, 2006.

  3. F. A. Cotton, Chemical Application of Group Theory, 3rd edn., Wiley-Interscience publication, 1990.

  4. D. F. Shriver, P. W. Atkins, C. H. Langford, Inorganic Chemistry, 5th edn., Oxford University Press, 2010.

  5. Gary L. Miessler, Paul J. Fischer, Donald A. Tarr, Inorganic Chemistry, 5th edition, Pearson, 2013.


Spectroscopy in Inorganic Chemistry I

Topics: This course will introduce fundamentals and concepts necessary to characterize coordination and organometallic compounds. First, fundamental aspects of characterization methods in inorganic chemistry will be introduced. Basics of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy will then be covered in detail. The main focus will be on energy levels in NMR, instrumentation, chemical shifts, different orders of coupling, relaxation, etc.,.


References:

  1. Physical Methods for Chemists, Russell S. Drago, Saunders College Pub., 1992

  2. Characterization Methods in Inorganic Chemistry, Mark T. Weller, Nigel A. Young, Oxford University Press, 2017


Spectroscopy in Inorganic Chemistry II

Topics: As a follow-up, in this course we will focus on vibrational spectroscopy techniques (IR and Raman), Electronic absorption (UV), Emission spectroscopy and Mass spectrometry techniques.

References:

  1. Physical Methods for Chemists, Russell S. Drago, Saunders College Pub., 1992

  2. Characterization Methods in Inorganic Chemistry, Mark T. Weller, Nigel A. Young, Oxford University Press, 2017


Kinetic and Mechanism of Inorganic Reactions I

Topics: The determination of rate law through determination of relation between the rate of a reaction and reactant concentration will be the main focus of this course. The majority of topics in chapter 1 and Chapter 2 from Reference no. 1 will be covered.

References:

  1. Kinetics and Mechanism of Reactions of Transition Metal Complexes, 2nd Edition, R.G. Wilkins, 2002 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA

  2. Chemical Kinetics and Reaction Mechanisms, 2nd Edition, James H. Espenson, McGraw Hill, Inc.


Kinetic and Mechanism of Inorganic Reactions II

Topics: Selective topics from chapters 3 and 4 of R. G. Wilkins’s book such as the experimental methods for the determination of a rate law, substitution reactions and oxidation-reduction reactions will be taught in detail. Chapter 12 of reference no. 2 will also be covered.

References:

  1. Kinetics and Mechanism of Reactions of Transition Metal Complexes, 2nd Edition, R.G. Wilkins, 2002 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA

  2. Gary L. Miessler, Paul J. Fischer, Donald A. Tarr, Inorganic Chemistry, 5th edition, Pearson, 2013.


Organometallic Chemistry I

Topics: The aim of this course is to introduce students with the principles and logics of Organometallic chemistry. Organometallic compounds are defined as metal complexes with at least one metal-carbon bond. Catalysts based on organometallic compounds have a well established history of application in the synthesis of small and large (polymer) organic molecules. Depending on the type of metal centers and the orbitals involved [(main group (s, p), transition (d) or Lanthanides and Actinide series (f)], they are involved in different reaction pathways.

First, important ligand types and their nature in terms of softness or hardness, bonding types in organometallic compounds and electron counting principles will be introduced. Next, principles of important reactions types relevant to the organometallic chemistry including oxidative-addition, reductive elimination, insertion and elimination reactions will be covered.

References:

  1. C. Elschenbroich and A. Salzer, “Organometallics: A Concise Introduction,” 2nd Edition, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 1992.

  2. Crabtree, R. H. The Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Metals, Wiley; 5 Edition, 2009


Organometallic Chemistry II

Topics: As a follow-up course, other important topics such as metal-ligand multiple bonding, relevant theories, and homogeneous catalytic reactions by organometallic compounds will be covered.

References:

  1. C. Elschenbroich and A. Salzer, “Organometallics: A Concise Introduction,” 2nd Edition, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 1992.

  2. Crabtree, R. H. The Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Metals, Wiley; 5 Edition (April 6, 2009).


Ph.D. Level Courses


Catalytic Reactions

Topics: Selective topics from chapters 1-4 of the following reference will be covered throughout this course.

References:

  1. Catalysis: An Integrated Textbook for Students, Ulf Hanefeld, Leon Lefferts, 2018 Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, Germany


Structure and Bonding

The following topics will be discussed:

Key Concepts in Molecular Orbitals, Structure and Bonding in Main Group Elements, Structure and Bonding in Transition Metals, Cluster Chemistry


References:

  1. Advanced Structural Inorganic Chemistry, Li, Wai, Mak, Oxford University Press, 2008

  2. Orbital Interactions in Chemistry, Thomas A. Albright, WILEY, 2013

  3. Cluster Chemistry, Guillermo Gonzalez-Moraga, Springer, 1993

  4. Structural Inorganic Chemistry, A. F. Wells, Oxford University Press, 1975

  5. Inorganic Chemistry, G. L. Miessler, D. A. Tarr, Fifth Edition, 2014


Advanced Organometallic Chemistry (PhD Special Topics)

Fundamental Reactions such as Ligand substitutions, Oxidative addition/Reductive elimination, and intramolecular insertions/eliminations will be covered. Besides, catalytic processes such as 1. Coupling Reactions 2. Metathesis Reactions, and 3. Polymerization/Oligomerization/Cyclizations will also be discussed.


References:

  1. C. Elschenbroich and A. Salzer, “Organometallics: A Concise Introduction,” 2nd Edition, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 1992.

  2. Crabtree, R. H. The Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Metals, Wiley; 5 Edition (April 6, 2009).

  3. J. P. Collman, L. S. Hegedus, J. R. Norton and R. G. Fi “The Principles and Applications of Transition Metal Chemistry” (University Science Books).