Physical Organic Chemistry and Reaction Mechanisms

• Classify typical elementary steps in homogeneous transition metal catalysis.
• Draw and discuss reasonable energy profiles for reactions using reaction coordinates
• Explain the terms: turnover-limiting step, selectivity-determining step, and catalyst resting state
• Propose rate laws for stoichiometric and catalytic reactions.
• Explain and interpret kinetic isotope effects
• Explain and interpret results from Hammett studies
• Propose experiments that support the intermediacy of radicals
• Propose experiments to test the competency of intermediates
• Utilize stereochemical information to probe for different reaction mechanisms
• Explain the basic kinetic principles of resolution and asymmetric catalysis
• Evaluate the likeliness of a reaction mechanism when provided a collection of experimental data
• Propose additional experiments which could provide further support for a proposed reaction mechanism

Introduction to homogeneous catalysis with transition metal complexes. Reaction coordinates, kinetics, linear free energy relationships, kinetic isotope effects, single-electron mechanisms, stereochemistry, resolution, and asymmetric catalysis.

26433, Organic Chemistry 3.
Alternatively, a BSc in chemistry with focus on organic chemistry.

Lectures, problem solving, and oral presentations.