Synthesis and reactivity of palladium and platinum carbenes

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Wed, 01/25/2017 - 11:32
Description

The literature discussion is based on a paper (Organometallics ASAP) in which the synthesis and reactivity of a palladium and platinum carbene compound. The palladium and platinum compounds exhibit some interesting differences that show up throughout the paper.

Reactivity of a platinum benzyne compound

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Mon, 01/23/2017 - 14:02
Description

The literature discussion is based on a paper by Gagné (Organometallics 2015, 34, 2707).  In this work, the in situ generation of benzyne is examined. The benzyne coordinates to a platinum center with a tridentate (pincer) phosphine ligand and a methyl group. This provides an opportunity to discuss the characterization of compounds that have NMR active nuclei that are not 100% naturally abundant. Protonation of the benzyne compound results in the formation of toluene. Different mechanisms are considered.

Nucleophilic attack at an iridium arene

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Thu, 01/19/2017 - 15:23
Description

This literature discussion is based on a paper describing the nucelophilic attack on a coordinated arene (Organometallics, 2015, 34,

Reactions of Cp*2Zr(2,3-dimethylbutadiene)

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Tue, 01/17/2017 - 17:58
Description

This literature discussion is based on a paper detailing the structure and reactivity of the title compound (Organometallics, 201635,

Group VI metal carbonyl compounds with pincer ligands

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Wed, 01/11/2017 - 16:43
Description

This literature discussion is based on a short paper describing a series of Group VI metal carbonyl compounds that have pincer ligands (Organometallics, 2016

Inorganic Chemistry for Geochemistry and Environmental Sciences Fundamentals and Applications by George W. Luther III

Submitted by Rachel Narehood Austin / Barnard College, Columbia University on Wed, 01/04/2017 - 16:10
Description

This is a great new textbook by George Luther III from the University of Delaware.  The textbook represents the results of a course he has taught for graduate students in chemical oceanography, geochemistry and related disciplines.  It is clear that the point of the book is to provide students with the core material from inorganic chemistry that they will  need to explain inorganic processes in the environment.

The Monsanto acetic acid process

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Thu, 12/29/2016 - 18:12
Description

This literature discussion is based on one of early papers detailing the mechanism for the Monsanto acetic acid process (J. Am. Chem.

Binding dinitrogen to titanium sandwich compounds

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Tue, 12/27/2016 - 12:06
Description

The literature discussion is based on one of the early papers from the Chirik group (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2004, 126, 14688). In this communication, the coordination of N2 to a series of (C5H4R)2Ti fragments is examined. Being a communication, it is very short and that helps make it less intimidating for undergraduates. But don't be fooled, it is very rich in the fundamental concepts of orgnaometallic chemistry.

Methane activation by a tungsten allyl

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Fri, 12/02/2016 - 17:41
Description

The literature discussion is based on a paper by Legzdins (Organometallics, 2017, 36, 26). In this work, the C-H activation of methane by a [Cp*W(NO)(allyl)(alkyl)] compound is described. The paper is extremely well written and approachable for undergraduates, although the initial length and large quantity of experimental data might be a bit intimidating at first. The problem of using methane is a signifiant real world problem and as such should provide an interesting context to talk about this paper.