610-240 Inorganic and Bio-inorganic Chemistry A

Credit cannot be gained for this subject and 610-241 or 610-245.

One of chemistry 610-141, 610-121 or 610-051 plus one of 610-142, 610-122 or 610-052.

Upon completion of 610-240, students should have an understanding of the central role of inorganic and bio-inorganic chemistry in biological systems and emerging industry processes. This subject is developed via carefully chosen examples which include the role of nature's metal-scavanging ligands; the facilitation of life by the trace metals; organometallic chemistry; and the design of catalysts in industry and nature (enzymes).

Students should also have developed skills to synthesise simple inorganic molecules, an understanding of basic analytical and spectroscopic methods, and skills to interpret and record observed chemistry.

The subject covers the occurrence, uptake and transport of the essential trace elements; metal binding in complexes; iron nutrition in humans; transport of dioxygen by hemoglobin; the action of poisons; carbon monoxide and cyanide; organometallic chemistry; hydrogen, carbon monoxide and alkenes as ligands; activation of ligands for reaction and the design of catalysts; and structural and spectroscopic techniques.

The practical component of the subject will consist of a number of experiments involving the synthesis, chemistry and instrumental investigations of important inorganic and organometallic compounds.

Ongoing assessment of practical work in the form of short reports due during the semester (30%); a 50-minute multiple-choice examination held during the semester (7%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (63%). Satisfactory completion of both theory and practical work is necessary to pass the subject.

• CE Housecroft and AG Sharpe, Inorganic Chemistry. 2nd Ed. Prentice Hall, Harlow UK 2005.