CH5301 - Chemical Kinetics and Mechanism (Advanced)

[Offered in even-numbered years]

Credit points:	03
Year:	2010
Student Contribution Band:	Band 4
Administered by:	School of Pharmacy & Molecular Sciences

Offered in SP1, in even numbered years only

The mechanism of a chemical reaction is a detailed description of the processes occurring during the reaction. The understanding of mechanism gives a window on the underlying chemistry and can be used to manipulate chemical reactivity. Kinetic studies provide one of the most powerful methods of investigating reaction mechanisms. <i>Major topics to be covered are:</i> Reaction profiles. Rates of chemical reactions, including the measurement of reaction rates, determination of rate constants and order for a variety of reaction types, and the relationship between kinetics and mechanism. Mechanisms of inorganic reactions, including substitution and electron transfer processes, catalysis and photochemistry; thermodynamics of formation of transition metal complexes; catalytic cycles in organometallic chemistry. Mechanism of organic reactions, including nucleophilic and electrophilic substitution, addition and elimination; factors affecting reactivity; techniques of studying mechanisms, including the kinetic isotope effect, labelling, stereochemistry, the nature of products and investigation of reactive intermediates by ESR, matrix isolation; organic photochemistry.

Learning Outcomes

• to provide students with the background theory of the thermodynamics and dynamics of chemical reactivity;
• to apply a range of techniques (including chemical kinetics, instrumentation) to the elucidation of reaction mechanism;
• to discuss important mechanistic pathways for inorganic and organic chemical reactions.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The acquisition of coherent and disciplined sets of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics from at least one discipline area;
• The ability to work individually and independently;
• The ability to select and use appropriate tools and technologies;
• The ability to use online technologies effectively and ethically.

Prerequisites:	(CH1001 OR CH1011) AND (CH1002 OR CH1012)
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	CH2002 CH3004 CH2022 CH2032 CH3022 CH3032 CH3101

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 25-Mar-2010
Coordinator:	Professor Richard Keene
Lecturers:	Dr Murray Davies, Assoc. Professor Michael Oelgemoeller, Assoc. Professor Bruce Bowden, Dr Brian McCool.
Contact hours:	36 hours lectures 36 hours practicals
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50% - 70%); practical component (20% - 40%); assignments (5% - 15%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.