Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title CATALYSIS (DISTANCE LEARNING)
Code CHEM388
Coordinator Dr JA Iggo
Chemistry
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2008-09 M Level Second Semester 15

Aims

The aim of this module is to give students a broad, interdisciplinary, background in catalysis across the traditional divides within chemistry.


Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students should:

  • be able to sensibly deductions about possible reaction mechanisms given experimental observations.
  • be able to recognize mechanistic parallels between chemical and biocatalytic processes.
  • be aware of the most significant applications of organometallic catalysis
  • be able to propose a likely mechanism for a new catalytic reaction and to propose experiments designed to confirm or refute their proposal.
  • be able to evaluate the experimental evidence for and against a proposed mechanism for reaction that uses an organometallic catalyst.
  • possess a realistic integrated understanding and knowledge of the basic principles of heterogeneous catalysis.
  • ·be able to derive appropriate kinetic equations and models for catalytic reactions that may involve complicated reaction sequences.
  • be aware of special effects which may influence selectivity when microporous solids are used as catalysts.

Syllabus
all 

"Lectures" in the following description refers to material which will be provide through VITAL as the basis of this distance learning module.

The module is divided into three components, as follows:

Inorganic Catalysis (Dr J A Iggo)

The Inorganic Chemistry section of the module will introduce students to the application of organometallic complexes of transition metals in catalysis. Particular emphasis is placed on the mechanistic aspects of the subject. The approach is via worked examples chosen both for the commercial significance of the reaction and to illustrate how the catalytic mechanism can be studied.

Organic and Bio-organic Catalysis (Dr A V Stachulski)

This section introduces the principles of chemical and biological catalysis: transition state and intermediate; the Hammond postulate, rate-determining step,simple kinetic analysis. Types of cata lysis: General and specific acid/base catalysis, electrophilic and nucleophilic catalysis, intra molecular catalysisand effective molarity. Isotope effects as a probe of mechanism.

 These principles will provide the basis and understanding for a discussion of important enzyme-catalysed reactions in a series of case studies. The role of specific active site amino-acids and co-factors in catalytic mechanisms will be stressed; detailed knowledge of  protein structure will not be required. Enzyme kinetics (Michaelis-Menten); types of enzyme inhibition. Hydrolytic enzymes: catalytic  mechanism of a -chymotrypsin-the prototype;synthetic applications of hydrolases.  Catalysis by metal ions. Redox enzymes: dehydrogenases (NAD/NADH) andcytochromes. Carbon-carbon bond forming enzymes, especially Class I aldolases; thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP). Functional group-transforming enzymes: pyridoxalphosphate (PLP)-case study. This section of the course provides a link b etween "conventional" chemistry and the chemistry of enzyme catalysis and shows students how the fundamental chemical mechanisms and principles are the same.

A 50:50 split between chemical and biological catalysis will be aimed for.

Heterogeneous Catalysis (Dr Y Khimyak)

This set of 11 lectures aims to give an integrated description of the basic principles of heterogeneous catalysis,including the role and importance of adsorption phenomena in the determination of reaction kinetics, and uses well-known simple catalytic processes as examples to apply these notions. The importance of transport limitations (heat,mass) is also examined as well as molecular shape selective and confinement effects which are observed for zeolites and other microporous solid catalysts. A general view is thus provided of all the factors which determine the behaviour of heterogeneous, catalysts and their importance is illustrated through the discussion of case examples selected from important catalytic applications.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

This is a distance learning module.  Students work through the course text book in conjunction with lecture notes according to the schedule provided.  Six distance assignments are completed at regular intervals throughout the semester, with marked work and model answers being returned to the students. Problems are dealt with mainly by email; the student's academic and industrial supervisors are also available to help. This module is only offered in alternate years. Students will either take CHEM388 or CHEM376 by distance learning.


Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours             0
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 150
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Written Examination  3 hr  second  50  August resit opportunity for PGT students only. Year 3/ 4 students resit at the next normal oppt.    Students to answer four questions our of a choice of six. Questions will be a mix of "short answer" with some problem solving and essays. August resit opportunity for PGT students only. Year 3 (and year 4) students resit at the next normal opportunity. 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
6 assignment question sets    2nd Semester  50  PGT summer. Year 3 /4 students resit at the next normal opportunity.  Penalty for late submission applies - see Departmental handbook for details.   

Recommended Texts
•“ An Introduction to Enzyme and Coenzyme Chemistry” T.Bugg.  Blackwell Science, Oxford; Cambridge, Mass., USA, 1996.
•“Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry” H. Maskill, Oxford University Press, 1991 (OUP primer)
•“Organometallics 1: complexes with transition metal carbon s-bonds” M.Bochmann and F. Bochner, Oxford University Press, 1994. (OUP primer)
•“Organometallics 2: complexes with transition metal carbon p bonds” M. Bochmann, Oxford University Press 1994. (OUP primer)
•“The basis and applications of heterogeneous catalysis” M. Bowker, Oxford Science Publications, 1998 (OUP primer)
•“Surfaces”, G. Attard and C. Barnes, Oxford Science Publications, 1999 (OUP primer)
•“An Introduction to Peptide Chemistry”, P. D. Bailey, Wiley Chichester, 1990. Especially ch. 2, an excellent concise introduction to amino-acids for those with no prior knowledge.