CVB303 Coordination Chemistry
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CVB303 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | CVB201 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,968 |
| International unit fee | $6,216 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | CVB303 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CVB201 |
| Coordinator: | John McMurtrie | j.mcmurtrie@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Coordination chemistry - the chemistry of transition metal complexes - encompasses aspects of organic, physical and transition metal chemistry. Deep understanding of the electronic structure of these remarkable compounds is developed along with an exploration of fascinating topics of current international research interest including organometallic compounds, bioinorganic chemistry, coordination polymers, metal-organic-frameworks (MOFs) and other metallo-supramolecular species. Synthesis and characterisation skills are honed through laboratory exercises drawing on knowledge developed throughout the chemistry major including magnetometry, thermogravimetric analysis and UV-visible, infrared and NMR spectroscopy.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Synthesise and integrate knowledge of the chemistry of coordination compounds.
- Analyse and evaluate chemical data using quantitative and qualitative methods.
- Critically reflect on experimental results and draw evidence-based conclusions.
- Demonstrate technical proficiency in the use of chemistry apparatus and equipment for the safe preparation of a range of coordination compounds.
- Communicate in writing, visually and orally chemical phenomena to specialist audience using appropriate chemistry vocabulary and industry standard presentation formats.
Content
This unit will commence by building on the foundation of chemistry provided in CVB201. You will revisit a number of topics previously introduced, but will build towards a deep understanding of them through development of more complex scientific models and theories. An overview of the topics covered follows.
Organometallic Chemistry: The nature of the metal-carbon bond: typical structures illustrating the principles; Main Group organometallics: synthesis, stability, typical reactions; transition metal organometallics: electron counting, ligands, complexes, typical reactions; uses of organometallic compounds in organic synthesis as reagents or catalysts: representative examples of the use of both main group and transition metal organometallics in stoichiometric and catalytic roles for the production of synthetic products including both fine chemicals and large scale industrial products.
Bioinorganic Chemistry: The inorganic chemistry of a selection of common biochemical processes, including oxygen uptake, storage and transport; synthetic oxygen carriers; biological redox reactions; and the roles of metals in enzyme activity.
Electronic Spectra: The theory underpinning electronic spectra will be developed in the context of spectroscopic terms to allow elucidation of the structure and properties of coordination compounds.
Coordination Polymers: Elements of the design, synthesis, structure and properties of coordination polymers will be explored with emphasis on the potential for these materials for use in high-technology applications.
Laboratory Skills: Laboratory exercises and workshops will provide knowledge and understanding of the correct methods for the experimental synthesis and handling of coordination compounds and their characterisation using modern spectroscopic techniques.
Learning Approaches
As a third year unit, you are expected to be an independent, self-directed learner and to take responsibility for your own learning. As such, this unit makes use of problem-based learning approaches. Supporting this problem-based learning approach, is a variety of different types of classes including formal lectures, workshops and practical laboratory exercises. You will develop your knowledge of coordination chemistry and have opportunities to communicate and apply your knowledge and skills to problem-based examples during interactive workshops and supervised practicals. Inquiry based collaborative learning is a key element of this unit, and you will spend a considerable amount of your time in laboratories and in interactive workshops working individually or collaboratively doing experiments and developing your problem solving skills. Both content and organisation are designed for you to assess your progress in the unit and the course and for you to gather evidence of meeting unit and course outcomes. You can expect to spend 10 - 15 hours per week involved in preparing for and attending all scheduled tutorial, completing assessment tasks, and undertaking your own independent readings to consolidate your learning.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
There will be extensive opportunity to assess your progress in the unit. By attendance and participation in the practical and workshop program, you will be able to assess your understanding of the lecture material. The informal atmosphere in the laboratory and interactive workshop tutorials means that you will have the opportunity for one-to-one feedback from your demonstrator. The lectures are also interactive and you will obtain feedback by participation in class discussions. General whole-of-class feedback will be provided to the class on summative assessment tasks along with personalised written comments. The results that you obtain in the problem solving tasks in the workshops will provide ongoing feedback, in particular about your preparation for the final theory exam. All staff in the unit will be available for individual or small group consultation.
Assessment
Overview
The assessment in this unit comprises both formative and summative elements. Formative assessment will take the form of provision of model answers for summative tasks, practice problems with worked solutions, and interactive discussions with your laboratory demonstrators and workshop tutors. Summative assessment will be achieved by the compilation of a portfolio comprising practical reports, workshop exercises as well as a scientific poster for presentation to the class and larger chemistry community at QUT. Also contributing to the summative assessment will be an end-of-semester theory examination providing the opportunity for you to demonstrate your understanding of concepts and problem solving skills.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Portfolio
The portfolio is a compilation of your laboratory practical and written exercises, combined with interactive workshop exercises and includes the production and presentation of a scientific poster.This assessment item will demonstrate the development of your practical skills. The poster presentation will give you the opportunity to summarise your scientific inquiry and to commuicate it effectively to your peers.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Examination (written)
An end-of-semester theory exam will cover content from all theory components of the unit.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Costs
There are no out of the ordinary costs associated with the study of this unit.
Resources
Resource books containing useful information and tutorial exercises will be provided, together with details of recommended websites.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Housecroft CE and Sharpe AG (2018) Inorganic Chemistry, 5th Edition, Pearson Education.
Risk Assessment Statement
The professional practice of Chemistry requires the safe handling of Hazardous Substances. A practical laboratory program is an important part of this unit, so you will be required to handle such substances. The chemicals and procedures used in this unit are deemed to be appropriate for students at this level of the course. You will undertake compulsory formal pre-laboratory assessment in Health and Safety matters relevant to the laboratory and QUT buildings in general. Health and Safety information and precautions relevant to the particular experiments are clearly explained in the Practical Manual. Having been provided with this advice, it is your responsibility to comply with all instructions, for the safety of yourself, your fellow students and staff.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST01 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, Portfolio, Examination (written) - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Portfolio, Examination (written) - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Portfolio, Examination (written) - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: ULO4, Portfolio - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO5, Portfolio
SV02 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, Portfolio, Examination (written) - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Portfolio, Examination (written) - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Portfolio, Examination (written) - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: ULO4, Portfolio - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO5, Portfolio