529-0243-00L  Reactive Intermediates

SemesterAutumn Semester 2016
LecturersP. Chen
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish


AbstractAdvanced physical organic chemistry. Methods for the elucidation of reaction mechanisms. Reactive intermediates. Thermochemistry; isotope labeling; cross-over experiments; kinetic isotope effects; thermodynamics-kinetics correlations; solvation and ion pairs; radical reactions; electron transfer; spectroscopic methods.
ObjectiveMethods for the elucidation of organic reaction mechanisms.
ContentThermochemistry: homodesmic reactions, estimation with group increments. Non-kinetic methods: product analysis, labeling with stable isotopes, cross-over experiments. Kinetic methods: establishing intermediates, isotope effects. Thermodynamic-kinetic correlations: LFER, Marcus relation. Solvation and ion pairs.
Lecture notesA printed script are handed out in the course. This material is also available for download from the web page of the course (as pdf files).
LiteratureAdditional reading and original publications are cited in the lectures.
Prerequisites / NoticeRequired level: Courses in organic and physical chemistry of the first and second year.
Each participant is expected to contribute to a 30 min. seminar (prepared by groups of 2-4 students), presented in the last weeks of the semester.