UnitLevel 3Undergraduate

CHM3941 Advanced inorganic chemistry

Faculty of Science

CHM3941 Advanced inorganic chemistry is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2025
Semester 1
Clayton
Assessment
Exam 70%
and 1 other task

This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before CHM3941

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After CHM3941

No unit lists CHM3941 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.

Enrolment rules

PREREQUISITE: CHM2911. Students without CHM2911 should consult the third year coordinator.

Overview

A general description of the synthetic methods and characterization techniques that are used to prepare coordination complexes and organometallic compounds will be provided together with the tools and methodologies used in the determination of reaction mechanisms and, in particular, metal centred/mediated reactions. Techniques commonly used to study the structure and properties of inorganic complexes will be introduced through the practical classes and a problem based approach.

Offerings in 2025

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonOn campus

Assessment

  • Laboratory workDemonstrationThreshold hurdle
    30%
  • Mid-semester examQuiz / Test
    20%
  • Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)Examination
    50%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Derive the structural chemistry of transition metal complexes using various analytical techniques;

  2. 2

    Apply knowledge of chemical kinetics and thermodynamics to the stability of transition metal complexes;

  3. 3

    Describe and undertake the synthesis and characterisation of main group organometallic complexes;

  4. 4

    Understand and demonstrate the relationship between reactivity, selectivity and structure in main group organometallic complexes;

  5. 5

    Apply main group organometallic complexes in the asymmetric synthesis of bioactive molecules.

Workload and teaching

  • Workshops36 hours
  • Laboratories36 hours
  • Teaching approachOnline learning
  • Teaching approachProblem-based learning
  • Teaching approachActive learning
  • Three 1-hour workshops
  • The equivalent of 3 hours of laboratory activities and
  • One hour directed independent study per week

Online learning will be used to illustrate and explain concepts and to highlight links between theory and laboratory work.

Problem-based learning will be explored in the workshop and laboratory exercises through theoretical concepts and will enable the development of relevant observation and descriptive skills, as well as communication skills.

Active learning will occur in workshops and lab sessions.

Learning resources

Required resources

Laboratory safety glasses
Lab coat
Closed toe footwear
Notebook for taking lab notes

Organometallics , 3rd Edition, Elschenbroich. Publ. Wiley/VCH (Note: the 2nd Editions of these books are suitable)

Organometallics in Synthesis: Third Manual , Manfred Schlosser (Editor), Wiley

Structural Methods in Inorganic Chemistry , 2nd Edition, Ebsworth, Rankin and Craddock. Publ. Blackwell, 1991, Chapter 2.

Recommended resources

Inorganic Chemistry , 3rd Edition, Housecroft and Sharpe. Publ. Pearson/Prentice Hall

Inorganic Chemistry , 6th Edition, Weller et al , Oxford University Press

 

Where it fits

CHM3941 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Dr Felipe Garcia
Chief Examiners
Dr Cameron Bentley

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for CHM3941?

CHM3941 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is CHM3941 offered?

In 2025, CHM3941 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.

Does CHM3941 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 70% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.

Which majors and minors include CHM3941?

CHM3941 is part of Chemistry.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
3
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Organisational unit
School of Chemistry
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Available