Course Details

Exam Registration81
Course StatusOngoing
Course TypeCore
LanguageEnglish
Duration4 weeks
CategoriesChemistry
Credit Points1
LevelUndergraduate
Start Date19 Jan 2026
End Date13 Feb 2026
Enrollment Ends02 Feb 2026
Exam Registration Ends16 Feb 2026
Exam Date28 Mar 2026 IST
NCrF Level4.5 — 8.0

Unlock the Power of Metals in Organic Synthesis: A Comprehensive Guide to Organometallic Chemistry

Welcome to the fascinating world where metals meet organic molecules. Organometallic Chemistry is the dynamic field that bridges classical organic and inorganic chemistry, creating powerful tools for modern synthesis. This 4-week undergraduate course, instructed by Prof. Debabrata Maiti of IIT Bombay, is designed to provide a deep and practical understanding of this essential subject.

Your Expert Instructor: Prof. Debabrata Maiti

Learn from a leading expert in the field. Prof. Maiti brings a wealth of knowledge and experience:

  • PhD from Johns Hopkins University under Prof. Kenneth D. Karlin, specializing in Bioinorganic Chemistry.
  • Post-doctoral research at MIT with Nobel Laureate Prof. Stephen L. Buchwald, a pioneer in cross-coupling catalysis.
  • Started his independent career at IIT Bombay in 2011.
  • Active research focuses on Bio-inorganic Chemistry and C-H Activation, areas at the forefront of chemical discovery.
  • Extensive teaching experience in both Bio-inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry.

Why Study Organometallic Chemistry?

This course goes beyond theory. Organometallic chemistry is the backbone of countless industrial processes. It explains how a catalytic amount of metal can efficiently produce vast quantities of essential molecules, including life-saving drugs, natural products, pharmaceuticals, and everyday materials. You will learn the principles that make this possible.

Detailed 4-Week Course Layout

The course is meticulously structured to build your knowledge from the ground up, covering fundamental concepts and advancing to key reactions and their industrial applications.

WeekLecture TopicsKey Concepts
Week 1
  • Introduction
  • Electron Counting
  • Ligand Substitution
  • Oxidative Addition (Concerted & SN2)
Master the language (electron counting) and the first crucial steps (ligand substitution, oxidative addition) in organometallic mechanisms.
Week 2
  • Oxidative Addition (Radical)
  • Reductive Elimination
  • Migratory Insertion & Elimination
  • Alpha/Beta Reactions
Delve into alternative mechanisms and learn the key steps that form and break carbon-element bonds on the metal center.
Week 3
  • Alpha/Beta Abstraction
  • 4-Center [2+2] Reactions
  • External Attack & Reductive Coupling
Explore more complex rearrangement and coupling reactions that expand synthetic possibilities.
Week 4
  • Hydrogenation Reactions (including stereoselective)
  • Carbonylation Reactions (Monsanto Process, Hydroformylation, etc.)
Apply foundational knowledge to understand major industrial catalytic processes that impact global manufacturing.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is ideal for:

  • Undergraduate & Postgraduate Students in Chemistry and related fields.
  • PhD Scholars looking to strengthen their core knowledge in catalysis and synthesis.
  • Teachers and Educators seeking to update their curriculum.
  • Industry Professionals in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials science.

Industry Relevance & Support

The principles taught in this course are directly applicable to the chemical industry. All Pharmaceutical and Fine Chemical Industries rely on organometallic catalysis for efficient, sustainable, and selective synthesis. Understanding these mechanisms is key to innovation in drug discovery and process development.

Recommended Textbooks

To complement the lectures, Prof. Maiti recommends these authoritative texts:

  • Gupta, B.D. and Elias, A.J.
  • Hartwig, J.F.
  • Crabtree, R.H.
  • Elschenbroich and Salzer

Embark on this four-week journey to master the concepts that power modern chemistry. Enroll in this course to gain a competitive edge in academia and industry, learning from one of India's foremost experts at IIT Bombay.

Enroll Now →

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