2021 Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Undergraduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
Chemistry of Catalytic Processes II (Homogeneous)
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Shigeki Kuwata
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Fri (S423)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- CAP.A355
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
[Summary of the lecture] Chemistry of catalytic processes I (heterogeneous) and chemistry of catalytic processes II (homogeneous) introduce catalytic processes in industry. This course, chemistry of catalytic processes II (homogeneous), covers fundamental concepts in homogeneous catalytic reactions and operative examples.
[Aim of the lecture] Homogeneous molecular catalysis has an important part in production of commodity chemicals and fine chemicals. This course first covers the characteristics of homogeneous catalysis. After that, the background and reaction mechanism of representative industrial reactions catalyzed by transition metal complexes are taught.
Course description and aims
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Explain the feature of homogeneous catalytic processes.
2) Understand the elementary steps in organometallic complexes and explain the mechanisms of homogeneous catalysis of transition metal complexes.
Keywords
homogeneous catalysis, transition metal complex, oxidative addition, migratory insertion, reductive elimination, beta-hydrogen elimination, asymmetric hydrogenation, carbonylation, Monsanto process, Wacker process, olefin metathesis, olefin polymerization, cross coupling reaction
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
This course first covers fundamentals in homogeneous catalysis. In the second half of the course, representative reactions catalyzed by transition metal complexes are introduced. In the last day, final examination is set to assess the level of understanding.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Characteristics and elementary steps in homogeneous catalysis | Explain the characteristics and elementary steps in homogeneous catalysis. |
| Class 2 | Catalytic hydrogenation | Explain the mechanism of hydrogenation with homogeneous catalysts. |
| Class 3 | Catalytic carbonylation reactions | Explain the mechanism of catalytic carbonylation. |
| Class 4 | Catalytic Oxidation reactions | Explain the mechanism of catalytic oxidation and synthetic processes of acetic acid. |
| Class 5 | Olefin metathesis reactions and olefin polymerization | Explain the mechanisms of olefin metathesis reactions and olefin polymerization. |
| Class 6 | Cross coupling reactions | Explain the mechanisms of cross coupling reactions. |
| Class 7 | Practice problems to assess the level of understanding and explanation of the answers | Understand the course contents and solve practice problems. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
P. Atkins, T. Overton, J. Rourke, M. Weller, F. Armstrong, "Inorganic Chemistry", 5th Ed., Oxford University Press; ISBN: 978-0199236176.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
R. Whyman, "Applied Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis", Oxford University Press; ISBN: 978-0-1985-5917-7.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Assignments (40%) and level of class participation (60%) which is assessed by small quizzes and so on.
Related courses
- CAP.A354 ： Chemistry of Catalytic Processes I (Heterogeneous)
- CAP.A373 ： Inorganic Chemistry (Coordination Chemistry)
Prerequisites
Students must have successfully completed CAP.B221.R/Organic Chemistry I (Alkanes), CAP.B222.R/Organic Chemistry II (Alkenes), CAP.B223.R/Organic Chemistry III (Aromatic Compounds)，CAP.B224.E/Organic Chemistry IV (Nucleophilic Substitution), CAP.B325.E/Organic Chemistry V (Carbonyl Compounds), CAP.B261.R/Inorganic Chemistry I (Chemical Bonding), CAP.B262.R/Inorganic Chemistry II (Chemical Reactions and Structures of Solids), CAP.A373.E/Inorganic Chemistry (Coordination Chemistry) or have equivalent knowledge.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
skuwata[at]apc.titech.ac.jp
Office hours
Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.