CHEM541 - Physical Organic Chem

This course a high level overview of methods for the study of organic, organometallic, and inorganic reaction mechanism. Chem 441 (Mechanisms) or Chem 564 (Organometallics) is required. The course will survey thermodynamic and kinetic measurements used in understanding chemical reactions. Topics include kinetic measurements and interpretation, Arrhenius theory, Eyring theory, kinetic isotope effects, Hammett analyses, and electronic structure calculations. Articles discussing these techniques in delineating the reaction mechanisms for problems of current interest will be analyzed. The focus will be on experiments that can be accomplished with readily available analytical tools (NMR, IR, UV, GC, HPLC) and how an understanding of mechanism can be used to optimize reaction yields and selectivities.