Spring 2026 - CHEM 332 D100

The Chemistry of Transition Metals (3)

Class Number: 5823

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 14, 2026
    Tue, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CHEM 230 and 236W, both with a minimum grade of C-, or permission of the department. Corequisite: CHEM 260.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The synthesis and characterization of classical and organometallic complexes of the transition metals, and their physical and chemical properties. Quantitative.

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: In-person at Burnaby campus 
Tutorial: In-person at Burnaby campus (Wed 1:30 PM - 2:20pm. Location: WMC 2220)

Course Description:

The synthesis and characterization of classical and organometallic complexes of the transition metals, and their physical and chemical properties.

Topics:

1. Introduction. Classification of the transition metal (TM) elements, lanthanides and actinides and comparison with main group elements. Review of basic concepts and nomenclature
2. Brief overview of the coordination chemistry of the transition metals
3. Introduction to common techniques used to characterize transition metal compounds: Infrared, Raman, NMR, ESR, X-ray, etc
4. Symmetry and Group Theory
5. Crystal/ligand field theory, magnetic properties and spin transition materials
6. UV-vis spectroscopy of classical transition-metal complexes.
7. Reaction mechanisms exhibited by TM complexes: substitution and electron transfer.
8. Introduction to TM organometallic chemisry: 18 electron rule, ligand survey, common reactions, catalysis
9. Lanthanide and Actinide chemistry

Grading

  • Midterm Exams 45%
  • Quizzes/Assignments 20%
  • Final Exam 35%

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

Gary L. Miessler, Paul J. Fischer & Donald A. Tarr. Inorganic Chemistry. 5th Edition. 2014. Publisher: Pearson.
ISBN: 9780321811059

Alan. K. Brisdon. Inorganic Spectroscopic Methods. 1998. Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780198559498

S. Drago. Physical Methods for Chemists. 2nd Edition. 1992. (Available online)

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

A grade of C- or better is required for all prerequisite courses.

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.