Using Transition-Metal Complexes as Catalysts for Radical Addition Reactions: A Laboratory Experiment Demonstrating the Important Role of Catalysts in an Organic Transformation Reaction

• Published in: Journal of chemical education Vol. 96; no. 6; pp. 1236 - 1244
• Main Authors: Burke, Journi E, Khoury, Emily A, Koskay, Grant J, LeWarne, Christopher J, Reeson, Emily A, Sandquist, Katherine L, Oshin, Kayode D, Zeller, Matthias
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Easton American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc 11.06.2019; Division of Chemical Education, Inc; American Chemical Society
• Subjects: Alkenes; Carbon; Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemical reactions; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; College Freshmen; College Science; Coordination compounds; Crystallography; Demonstrations (Educational); Design of experiments; Experiments; Laboratory Experiments; Literature reviews; Metal complexes; Metallurgy; NMR spectroscopy; Organic chemistry; Organometallic compounds; Physical Sciences; Radiology; Reaction mechanisms; Science Instruction; Science Laboratories; Spectroscopy; Students; Transition metal compounds; Hands-On Learning/Manipulatives; NMR Spectroscopy; Addition Reactions; Upper-Division Undergraduate; Organometallics; Laboratory Instruction; Inorganic Chemistry; Catalysis; Organic Chemistry
• ISSN: 0021-9584; 1938-1328
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.8b00721

This laboratory experiment demonstrates the important utility of transition-metal complexes as catalysts in the addition reaction of carbon tetrabromide (CBr4) to select alkenes. This application offers students the opportunity to understand why transition-metal complexes are worth synthesizing. The experiment builds on fundamental theories presented during first-year general chemistry courses and integrates concepts taught in organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organometallics, and instrumental analysis. It incorporates some advanced laboratory practices for students to assimilate with, such as literature searches and interpretation; organometallic compound analysis; catalysis experiment design; reaction mechanisms; NMR spectroscopy with comprehensive spectra interpretation; and X-ray crystallography.