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CHE-30078 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

CHE-30078 - Kinetics, Catalysis and Mechanism
Coordinator: Mike Edwards Room: N/A Tel: +44 1782 7 33252
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

This module develops and brings together theories, concepts and models from physical and inorganic chemistry and spectroscopy to account for experimental observations of inorganic and organic reactions. As well as advanced chemical kinetics, this module will give you a complete, balanced understanding of transition metal catalysis both from an inorganic mechanistic standpoint and as a tool in advanced organic synthesis. A distinctive feature of the module is the analysis and interpretation of data and observations in peer-reviewed research articles. 

Aims
The aim of this module is to develop and bring together theories, concepts and models from areas spanning organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. By examining the mechanism of metal-catalysed cross coupling reactions and their utility in organic synthesis, the interface of these two disciplines is examined in the context of both their underlying principles and their wider application, and kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of reactions are examined in the context of extracting predictive information about reaction rates and their underlying mechanisms.

Intended Learning Outcomes

apply analysis of kinetic models to experimental data to obtain kinetic and thermodynamic parameters and make predictions concerning their behaviour under varying experimental conditions: 2
describe the mechanism of a variety of useful transition-metal catalysed reactions in terms of a sequence of fundamental mechanistic sub-processes, and apply these processes as tools for designing synthetic routes to organic molecules: 1
model, analyse and simulate experimental data using advanced features of Excel: 2
analyse and interpret spectroscopic and theoretical data and use these to elucidate and rationalise the chemical processes which occur within and around the coordination sphere of transition metal complexes: 1

Study hours

Active Learning:
Interactive Lectures and assessment briefings: 18 hours (approximately 6 hours per topic)
Seminars and Workshops: 9 hours (approximately 3 hours per topic)
Independent study and coursework preparation: 122 hours
Oral Viva session: 1 hour

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Viva weighted 65%
Viva and Infographic for Cross-Coupling Reactions
Students will independently research a transition metal catalysed organic transformation and produce a detailed infographic summary of its mechanism and use applied to the synthesis of an unknown organic molecule. With the aid of this infographic, students will attend an individual oral viva (approximately 20 minutes) to answer questions about the processes which occur at the metal to facilitate this reaction, and related questions involving both the inorganic and organic aspects of the transformation. The oral viva and infographic components of this assessment contribute equally to the overall mark for this assessment.

2: Assignment weighted 35%
Kinetic Models Assignment
A set of problem-solving tasks related to kinetic models, some of which will involve use of the scientific literature. Indicative tasks include: Analysis, simulation and interpretation of data (some of which will require the use of advanced features of Excel) and observations; analysis and interpretation of models and concepts; location and extraction of information (some of which will require further calculations, assumptions, reasoning and research); making predictions and drawing conclusions based on information (some of which may be incomplete). This assessment is equivalent to ~1500 words and is submitted as a single item.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025