CHM 433 TUTORIAL QUESTIONS 2023

1. a) Briefly outline the classification and classes of the organometallic compounds of

the d-block elements.
b) State the 18 – electron rule and briefly discuss its basis.

2. Justify the stability of the following compounds, using the 18 – electron rule.
i. [(π – C5H5 ) Mo(CO)2(π – C3H3)]
ii. [Fe(CO)4]2–
iii. [(π – C5H5)2Co]+
iv. [(π – C7H7 )2 Mo (CO)3]

(Electronic Configurations of Mo = [Kr]4d55s1 ; Co = [Ar]3d74s2 and Fe = [Ar]3d64s2)

3. a) With one example each as illustration, outline five methods for the synthesis of
organometallic comounds

b) Discuss the stability of organometallic compounds to:

i. Oxidation
ii. Hydrolysis

4. From 1 – hexene, outline how the following compounds may be synthesized:

i. Methanoic acid
ii. pentanal
iii. hexanoic acid
iv. Methyl pentanoate
v. Formaldehyde

5 .a) Briefly discuss metal – ligand bonding in organometallic compounds of

Transition metals
b) Give an account of catalysis of organometallic compounds

6 a) Classify the ligands of organometallic compounds of the d – block elements.

b) Briefly explain the following:

i. Ortho effect
ii. Synergic bonding
iii. Hydride ion abstraction in organometallic compounds
iv. The process of reducing the π- electrons in a ligand.

7. a) State the 18 – electron rule.

b) Justify the stability of the compounds with the following structures based on the 18 –
electron rule:
 i. ii iii.

iv. v.

vi. . vii.

[ Electron Configuration of Fe = [Ar]3d64s2; Mo = [Kr]4d55s1; Co = [Ar] 3d74s2 and Re =

[Xe]4f145d56s2].

8. Given 1 – octene, outline the synthesis of the following compounds:

i. Octanoic acid
ii. Heptanoic acid
iii. Formalin
iv. Methyl heptanoate.
9. With the help of equations show how organometallic compounds react with
i. Halogens
ii. Hydrohalic acids

10. a) Outline five (5) methods for the synthesis of organo-metallic compounds
b) Complete the following equations by giving the structures of the lettered products A-J

i. (CO)5MnCH2CH3 + Ph3C+BF4– A + B + C

ii. Cis – (Et3P)2PtMe2 + HCl D

iii. TiCl4 + 4MeLi E + F

iv. Cis – (Et3P)2PtMe2 + Br2 G

 v. 3CrCl3 + Al + AlCl3 + 6C6H6 H + I

+ Fe(CO)5 J + K
vi..
vii. MCl2 + 2C3H5MgCl L + M

High pressure nCH 2 = CH2

viii. Bu Li + H2C = CH2
n
O P

11. a) Discuss the applications of organometallic compounds in the industry

b) Briefly give a short account of metal carbonyls
12.. a) With the help of equation (s), describe how Grignard reagent is synthesized.

b) Outline how Grignard reagents are used in the synthesis of:

i. Primary alcohols.
ii. Secondary alcohol
iii. Tertiary alcohol
iv. Aldehydes
v. Ketones
vi. Acids
13. With the help of equations discuss six (6) reactions of organometallic compounds you
know