CHEM454

Organometallic Chemistry

I. Introduction to Organometallic Chemistry

Course outline

Nature of carbon-metal bond, General synthesis and properties of organometallic compounds, Classification (η2-bonded olefin, η3-allylic, η5-cyclopentadienyl, η6-organometallic compounds).

Recommended books

While there is no mandatory reading material for this course, it is recommended that you have access to at least one of the following texts.

Organotransition Metal Chemistry: From Bonding to Catalysis (2009) by John F. Hartwig
The Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Metals (2005) by Robert H. Crabtree
Organotransition Metal Chemistry (2002) by Anthony Hill

Other resources

Hypertextbook: One of the best online available resources in Organometallic Chemistry is probably Rob Toreki’s The Organometallic Chemistry Hypertextbook. As mentioned in the Premise of this hypertextbook, “this text is meant for students who are starting out in the area of Organometallic Chemistry as well as those who wish to review and interrelate concepts for their class, oral exams, or placement tests. The power of this resource lies in its use of hypertextual information. Pick a topic from the index and see how.”
Bonding illustrations: Metal-dihydrogen, metal-ethylene, and metal-diene bonding concepts (PDF)

Exams and grades

Mid-term exam: 18%
Final exam: 20%
Assignments & class participation: 25%
Part II. 37% (17 + 20)

Assignments

Topic. Organometallic compounds as reagents or catalysts
Named reactions in organometallic chemistry refer to important chemical reactions that involve organic compounds and metals. These reactions are typically named after their discoverer or after the reaction mechanism involved. Organometallic compounds often serve as the key reagents or catalysts that drive the reaction forward, providing a means for forming or breaking carbon-metal bonds. For example, Kumada coupling is a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between an aryl or vinyl halide and an organomagnesium or organozinc halide. This reaction allows for the formation of a new carbon-carbon bond between the halide and the organometallic reagent, and is widely used in organic synthesis. This assignment provides a list of named reactions/catalysts. Choose one of these named reactions/catalysts (based on your birthdate) and follow the instructions to prepare a presentation and handout.

Assignment 1. Organometallics and named reactions