Metals and Catalysis in Alkene Reactions - Oxidation, Hydrogenation, Metathesis, and Polymerization

Explore the intricacies of metal-catalyzed reactions and polymerization processes in this 51-minute lecture from Yale University's Freshman Organic Chemistry II course. Delve into alkene oxidation methods, including permanganate and OsO4 catalysis, and understand the role of metal catalysts in facilitating simultaneous bond formation. Examine the catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes, focusing on oxidative addition and reductive elimination cycles, and investigate the stereochemical implications of these processes. Learn about olefin metathesis and metal-catalyzed polymerization, including the control of polymer tacticity through careful catalyst design. Discover the mechanisms behind radical and acid-catalyzed polymerizations, exploring methods to control regiochemistry and chain length. The lecture concludes with a discussion on natural polymers, specifically latex and its coagulation to form rubber.