The article “Synthesis and Reactivity of Oxorhenium(V) Methyl, Benzyl, and Phenyl Complexes with CO; Implications for a Unique Mechanism for Migratory Insertion,” Robbins, LK; Lilly, CP; Smeltz, JL; Boyle, PD; Ison, EA;, Organometallics 2015, 34, 3152-3158 is an interesting read for students studying reaction mechanisms of organometallic complexes.  The reading guide directs students to the sections of the paper that support the question posed in the Discussion Questions document. 

This literature discussion is designed for upper-level inorganic chemistry students. The article explores the motivations, design, and characterization of novel nickel(II) and nickel(IV) complexes for carbon-heteroatom bond forming reactions. Students can apply and integrate their knowledge of organic chemistry mechanisms, organometallic chemistry, and techniques for characterizing metal-ligand compounds that include NMR and CV.

In this literature discussion, students read an Inorganic Chemistry paper (doi: 10.1021/ic503062w) about diarylamido-based PNZ pincer ligands and their Ni, Pd, and Rh complexes. Specifically, this paper uses IR and E_1/2 potentials to demonstrate that the redox events occur not on the metal center but on the pincer ligands.

This assignment is intended to help students develop basic literature reading comprehension skills as well as connect the course content to relevant primary literature. Additionally the activity is coupled to short presentations that develop communication skills.

In the humanities it is common practice to read a piece of literature and discuss it.  This is also practiced in science and is the purpose of this exercise.  Each student is assigned a communication from the current  literature (inorganic, JACS, organometallics, J. Phys.