Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - CHEM 832 G100

Organometallic Chemistry (3)

Class Number: 1775

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 7, 2026: Tue, Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An advanced treatment of the synthesis, structures, reactions and spectroscopic identification of inorganic compounds.

COURSE DETAILS:

Please note, this course outline was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change.

Mode of Teaching:
3 lecture hours/week; 1 tutorial hour/week
Lecture: Synchronous
Tutorial: Synchronous

Course Description: 
This course provides an introduction to organometallic chemistry by surveying the common classes of carbon-based ligands, their
characterization and reactivity. Application of organometallics in catalysis, organic synthesis and biology will be examined.

General Course Outline Overview and Introduction to Organometallic Chemistry

  • Basic principles, bonding concepts, characterization tools and ancillary ligands.

Phosphines and other Ancillary Ligands


Synthesis, Characterization and Bonding Survey of Organometallic Ligands
  • The 18-electron rule, Metal-carbonyls and related ligands Main group and Transition-Metal-hydrides and σ-alkyls Metal-carbon π-
    bonded and multiple-bonded ligands

Reactivity of Organometallic Complexes
  • Common reaction mechanisms and elementary steps Organometallic catalysis for small molecule formation: Asymmetric hydrogenation, hydroformylation, acetic acid synthesis Catalytic olefin polymerization, oligomerization and metathesis Reactivity of metal-bound ligands.

Selected Topics in Organometallic Chemistry (time permitting)
  • Activation of small, inert molecules (N2, CO2, CH4, Jluorocarbons) Reactivity of Metal-Metal bonded systems Paramagnetic
    Organometallic complexes Bio-organometallic systems.

Grading

  • Midterm Exam 25%
  • Make a Problem Set 15%
  • Presentation 30%
  • Final Exam 30%

NOTES:

Online Exam Invigilation: Students completing exams remotely must comply with the online invigilation procedures implemented
by the course instructor.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Technology Requirements: Students are required to have a desktop or laptop computer, high-speed internet access, and a webcam
and microphone (built-in or external) to participate in online courses.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Robert H .Crabtree, The Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Metals, 7th edition, 2019, Publisher: Wiley.
ISBN: 9781119465881

A.F.Hill, Organotransition Metal Chemistry, 2002, RSC Basic Concepts in Chemistry Series. ISBN: 9780854046225

Or any other organometallic chemistry text that can be found in the Library:

Robert H .Crabtree, The Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Metals, 6th edition, 2014, Publisher: Wiley. ISBN: 9781118138076

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.