88390 - Organometallic Chemistry for Catalysis and the Environment

Learning outcomes

Basic principles and main properties of the organometallic compounds. The role of organometallic complexes in the modern industrial processes and their consequences in the environment.

Course contents

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of the fundamental principles of inorganic chemistry and the most important aspects of the structure, properties and reactivity of inorganic compounds. Knowledge of the fundamental principles of thermodynamic and kinetic, organic and industrial chemistry and basic metal redox chemistry.

Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of:

• VSEPR theory
• Oxidation states
• Ligand field theory
• Molecular orbital theory

Fundamental organic chemistry

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course, students will have acquired advanced knowledge of the synthesis, structure, reactivity and characterization of organometallic compounds. They will understand the role of organometallic complexes as key intermediates in homogeneous catalytic processes and their applications in both bulk and fine chemical industries.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the activation of small molecules such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, olefins, carbon dioxide and C–H bonds, highlighting their central role in modern catalytic processes and in the development of sustainable chemical technologies.

Students will also become familiar with the use of coordination and organometallic compounds in the design of functional molecular materials and will critically evaluate catalytic processes from the perspective of Green Chemistry and industrial sustainability

Course Aims

The course provides advanced tools for understanding, analysing and designing homogeneous catalytic cycles based on transition-metal complexes.

The course follows a mechanistic and comparative approach, enabling students to relate the structure and electronic properties of organometallic complexes to their reactivity and catalytic performance.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Apply both the ionic and covalent electron-counting methods correctly.
2. Assign oxidation states, coordination numbers and molecular geometries, providing appropriate chemical justification.
3. Analyse and discuss complete catalytic cycles.
4. Interpret IR and multinuclear NMR spectra of organometallic complexes.
5. Compare catalytic systems in terms of activity, selectivity, stability and reaction mechanism.
6. Evaluate catalytic processes using Green Chemistry metrics, including atom economy, turnover number (TON), solvent selection and energy efficiency.
7. Critically analyse and present a recent research article from the scientific literature.

Course Structure

The course is organised into three progressive modules.

Module 1 – Fundamentals of Organometallic Chemistry (30%)

Main topics include:

• Electron counting (ionic and covalent methods)
• The 16- and 18-electron rules
• Relationships between oxidation state, coordination number, geometry and electronic configuration
• Metal–CO, metal–alkyl, metal–hydride and metal–CO₂ bonding
• Migratory insertion reactions
• β-Hydride elimination
• Oxidative addition and reductive elimination
• Activation of H₂, C–H bonds and CO₂
• Agostic interactions
• Introduction to the spectroscopic characterization of organometallic compounds (IR and multinuclear NMR)

Learning goal: to provide students with the theoretical tools required to understand and construct reaction mechanisms.

Module 2 – Analysis of Homogeneous Catalytic Cycles (40%)

Two representative catalytic systems will be studied in detail:

1. Rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation
2. Olefin metathesis (Schrock and Grubbs carbene complexes)

For each catalytic system, the following aspects will be discussed:

• Catalyst structure
• Complete catalytic cycle
• Rate-determining step
• Role of ancillary ligands
• Innocent and non-innocent ligands
• Comparison between different catalytic systems

Learning goal: to develop students' ability to analyse, compare and rationally design catalytic processes.

Module 3 – Catalysis and Sustainability (30%)

The principles of Green Chemistry will be applied to the catalytic systems presented in Module 2.

Topics include:

• Atom economy
• Turnover Number (TON)
• Turnover Frequency (TOF)
• Selectivity and by-product formation
• Solvent selection
• Energy efficiency
• Strategies for improving catalytic sustainability

Learning goal: to evaluate catalytic processes from both scientific and environmental perspectives.

Readings/Bibliography

D. A. Atwood, Sustainable Inorganic Chemistry, Wiley.

J. E. Huheey, A. E. Keiter, R. L. Keiter, Inorganic Chemistry, Casa Editrice Piccin

D. F. Shriver, P. W. Atkins, C. H. Langford, Inorganic Chemistry, Zanichelli

Teaching methods

Teaching Methods

The course combines traditional lectures with active learning strategies, including:

• Interactive lectures
• Small-group problem solving
• Mechanistic exercises
• Guided discussion of recent scientific articles and ACS educational videos
• Formative quizzes with immediate feedback
• Collaborative construction and discussion of catalytic cycles

Students are encouraged to participate actively in class discussions. The emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking and chemical reasoning rather than rote memorization.

Lecture slides and supporting materials will be made available in advance whenever possible.

Assessment

Student assessment consists of two equally weighted components.

A. Scientific Presentation (50%)

Each student will prepare a 10–12 slide PowerPoint presentation based on a recent research article (published within the last five years) selected from a list provided by the instructor.

The oral presentation (approximately 15 minutes) should:

• Introduce the scientific background
• Discuss the proposed reaction mechanism
• Highlight the novelty and limitations of the work
• Evaluate the sustainability of the catalytic process

Slides should contain clear molecular structures, reaction schemes and mechanisms, with limited text to support an effective scientific presentation.

Assessment criteria include:

• Scientific understanding
• Mechanistic analysis
• Critical thinking
• Clarity of presentation
• Evaluation of the environmental impact of the proposed chemistry

Assessment methods

Students are asked to take oral examination in one of the scheduled sessions at the end of the course. The exam is aimed at checking the understanding of the student and his/her capacity to correlate the main concepts of inorganic to sustainable chemistry. The student is required to present, also with the help of the board, a preferred topics and the evaluation will be mainly based on the skills, shown by explaining in an extensive and detailed way and on the ability to establish the clue priority of the fundamental aspects in the treated topics.

B. Individual Oral Examination (50%)

The oral examination will focus on general course topics and on a team-based scientific assignment discussed during the semester.

Students will be expected to demonstrate their ability to:

• Perform electron counting
• Interpret spectroscopic data
• Compare catalytic systems
• Discuss reaction mechanisms
• Apply theoretical concepts to new chemical problems

The final grade will be based on the combined performance in both assessment components

Teaching tools

Student Workload

The 4 ECTS course corresponds to approximately 120 hours of student workload, including:

• Lectures
• Independent study
• Preparation of the scientific presentation
• Reading and analysis of research articles

The course has been designed to promote in-depth understanding rather than superficial coverage of a large number of topics.

Student Support

Students are encouraged to attend individual or small-group office hours whenever additional clarification is needed.

Supporting material will be provided in advance whenever possible, and particular attention will be given to students entering the course with different academic backgrounds.

Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The course contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting the development of more efficient, selective and sustainable catalytic processes.

In particular, the course addresses:

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4 – Quality Education
• SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13 – Climate Action

THE EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL WILL BE DELIIVERED IN THE FORMAL TUTORIAL PLATFORM IOL[https://iol.unibo.it/].ELECTRONIC SUPPLIES ON BOOKS OR BIBLIOGRAFIC NOTES ARE ACCESSIBLE AND CONSULTABLE ON virtuale PLATFORM IN THE CLASSROOM OR IN THE LIBRARY

Teaching supports include PowerPoint presentations, and slide projection. Documents and slides shown are made available to students as pc files. Indications are given to students regarding the bibliographic resources available on virtuale and in the library. RSC and ACS videos may supply to support topics of interest. 

Usernames and passwords are reserved to Unibo students and are given by the teacher.

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Bordoni