Chemistry of Coordination Compounds with Laboratory

Goals
To understand the key features of coordination compounds. The course is designed to provide the basics of traditional coordination chemistry and organometallic chemistry, both in theoretical and practical aspects

acquired skills
The student will be able to understand: the structure and the stereochemistry of transition metal complexes; The metal to ligand interaction; The principal aspects concerning the stability and the reactivity of coordination compounds; Their role in chemical synthesis.

Course content
a) classroom lectures (7 credits).
Introduction, coordination numbers and geometries, isomerisms (structural, geometrical, optical), nomenclature and formulae, mono- and poly-dentate ligands. Crystal field and ligand field theories. Metal-ligand interactions of σ- and -bonding types. Electron counting. Thermodynamics (formation constants, chelate and macrocyclic effects) and kinetics (lability, inertness and electronic configuration). Substitution, association, inter-exchange and electron transfer mechanisms.
Complexes with M-H bonds (classical and non-classical hydrides, agostic interactions), M-Sn, M-N (imides, nitrenes e nitrydes), M-S, M-O (alkoxydes, acetylacetonates, oxo, peroxo e superoxo), M-X (X:halogen). Complexes with -type ligands (carbonyls, nitryles, isonitryles, nitrosyls, dinitrogen, phosphanes). -type complexes (olefines, acetylenes, allyls, cyclopentadienyls and aromatic rings).
b) laboratory experiments (3 credits).
Syntheses of inorganic and coordination compounds, specifically selected to present the most representative separation and purification techniques and some important aspects of the properties and the chemical behavior of metals and ligands (oxidation state of metals, type of ligands, coordination modes, chelate effect, geometrical, ligand and optical isomerism).

Suggested prerequisites
Courses of: General and inorganic chemistry, Inorganic chemistry I

Reference material
Recommended textbooks:
- P.Atkins, T.Overtone, J.Rourke, M.Weller, F.Armstrong - Inorganic Chemistry - Oxford University Press (2006), Fourth edition
- G.L.Miessler, D.A.Tarr - Chimica Inorganica - ed. Piccin (2012)
- Lecture slides provided by the teacher

Assessment method:
The exam comprise a report on the experiences conducted during the lab exercises and a written test on the topics developed during the frontal lessons. This written test requires answers to about 8 questions over a period of about three hours.

Language of instruction
Italian

Attendance Policy:
Strongly recommended for frontal lessons, mandatory for the lab

Mode of teaching:
Traditional


Website:
http://labchimicacomposticoord.ariel.ctu.unimi.it