VIPEr

Science Skills, Practices, and Resources

Subdiscipline:

Learning Goals:

Faculty will

understand the "backward design" concept
learn to write learning outcomes and assessments using the verbs ("activities") and "products" provided
learn how a rubric can be used to discriminate students' levels of achievement

Implementation Notes:

These slides are a quick and dirty summary of a longer hands-on faculty development workshop I do. They provide an introduction to the Understanding by Design process, help in writing learning goals, suggestions for developing assessments of student learning, and helpful hints for preparing a VIPEr learning object.

Time Required:

15 minutes to read the slides; a lifetime to practice the skill :)

Evaluation

Evaluation Methods:

I hope that faculty will use these slides to aid their writing of learning goals and assessments for the VIPEr site.

25 Jul 2019

1FLO: One Figure Learning Objects

Submitted by Chip Nataro, Lafayette College

Course Level:

First year

Second year

Molecular Structure and Bonding

Subdiscipline:

Coordination Chemistry

Electrochemistry

f-block Chemistry

Organometallic Chemistry

Spectroscopy and Structural Methods

Topics Covered:

Acid-base chemistry

Bonding models: Discrete molecules

Catalysis

Chemical literature

Coordination chemistry

Electron transfer

Electronic spectroscopy

Electronic structure

f-block chemistry

Group theory & applications

Kinetics

Molecular structure

Organometallic chemistry

Symmetry

Synthesis and reactivity

Corequisites:

First Semester Inorganic Chemistry / Foundation Course in Inorganic Chemistry

Prerequisites:

General Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

9 Jul 2019

Constructing a Class Acid-Base Titration Curve

Submitted by Katherine Nicole Crowder, University of Mary Washington

Evaluation Methods:

Students were allowed to keep working until they had correct pH values, so they were graded on participation. Worksheets were collected at the end in order to construct the titration curve.

This could be collected and graded for correctness.

Evaluation Results:

Students were evaluated on similar questions on the subsequent exam. Most students (12 out of 15) scored 11-13 points on a 13 point question where they had to solve for the pH in the four regions of a strong acid titration curve. 8 out of 15 recieved full credit on a question where they had to calculate the pH in the buffer region of a weak acid titration curve.

Description:

In this in-class activity, each student calculates the inital pH, equivalence volume, and pH at the equivalence point for both a strong acid-strong base and a weak acid-strong base titration.

In addition, each student is assigned a unique volume before the equivalence point and a unique volume after the equivalence point for each titration curve.

The data from the class is then assembled in Excel to construct the two titration curves.

This forces each student to do the calculations for each of the four regions of both types of titration curves. This activity could be used to introduce titration curves or to reinforce previously covered lecture material/problem-solving. It could also be switched to do a strong base-strong acid or a weak base-strong acid titration curve.

The constructed titration curves can be used for further discussions of the differences between a strong acid and a weak acid in terms of initial pH, the rapid-rise portion of the curve, and the pH at the equivalence point.

Learning Goals:

A student should be able to

determine the pH of a strong acid solution
determine the pH of a weak acid solution using Ka
use stoichiometry to calculate equivalence volumes for acid-base titrations
employ limiting reagent calculations to determine acid or base concentrations for different regions of a titration curve and determine pH
determine the pH of a weak base solution using Ka, Kb

Subdiscipline:

Introductory Chemistry

Equipment needs:

notecards with assigned volumes

computer for entering volume and pH data

Course Level:

Corequisites:

Prerequisites:

Topics Covered:

Implementation Notes:

This could be done as an in-class activity (I used a 3 hr lab period - most students took less than 2 hrs) or as a take-home assignment. Students were allowed to use their notes and textbooks. I did not strictly forbid them from working together, but I did tell them that I wanted them to be sure that they could do all of the calculations themselves.

I had an Excel spreadsheet of the correct pH values for each volume (attached). Students were allowed to come check their work with me and continue working if their answers were incorrect. I was also able to help them if they got stuck.

Attached are the student worksheets, the class titration curves, and the Excel file I used to calculate the correct pH values. I chose volumes and molarities that would give me an appropriate number of volumes before the equivalence point. Volumes and molarities should be adjusted as needed for the size of your class.

I used whole number volumes, but I think it would be better to have smaller volume increments near the rapid-rise portions of the curves so it doesn't look like the data "jumps" as much.

Time Required:

1-2 hr

27 Jun 2019

Porphyrin-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks

Submitted by Amanda Bowman, Colorado College

Evaluation Methods:

Students completed this activity in small groups, then turned in individual worksheets. Student learning and performance were assessed through 1) in-class group discussion after they had worked on the activity in small groups, and 2) grading the individual worksheets. Participation was most important in the small-group portion.

Evaluation Results:

In general, students really enjoyed this exercise and felt that it was helpful for visualizing metal-organic frameworks (particularly the extended 3D structure). They also generally felt that it was helpful in visualizing the bonding sites of metal vertices, particularly for thinking about how that influences potential reactivity. We used Mercury as a visualization software for this discussion, and the majority of students felt very comfortable using Mercury and looking at cifs on their own after this activity.

The biggest challenge for students seemed to be in relating the 3D structure in the cif to the images and chemicals formulas in the article. They also tended to need some hints about question 5 – to think about what information Mössbauer can provide about oxidation state of the metal, or that you can tell whether or not there are two distinct iron environments. In our class, we do brief units on X-ray crystallography including how to use and interpret cifs, and Mössbauer spectroscopy before this literature discussion. If those topics are not already addressed in a particular class it might be helpful to add them in or directly address those topics for the students as an introduction to the literature discussion.

Description:

This literature discussion explores the physical structures, electronic structures, and spectroscopic characterization of several porphyrin-based metal-organic frameworks through discussion of “Iron and Porphyrin Metal−Organic Frameworks: Insight into Structural Diversity, Stability, and Porosity,” Fateeva et al. Cryst. Growth Des. 2015, 15, 1819-1826, http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1021/cg501855k. The activity gives students experience visualizing and interpreting MOF structures, and gives students exposure to some of the methods used to characterize MOFs.

Prerequisites:

First Semester Inorganic Chemistry / Foundation Course in Inorganic Chemistry

General Chemistry

Corequisites:

Topics Covered:

Chemical literature

Coordination chemistry

Diffraction

Electronic structure

Extended structure

Solids & solid state chemistry

Course Level:

Solid State and Materials Chemistry

Learning Goals:

Students will be able to:

Interpret and describe the bonding and structural characteristics of MOFs
Apply knowledge of ligand field strength to electronic structure of MOFs
Analyze X-ray crystallographic data to gain information about structural characteristics of MOFs
Interpret Mössbauer spectra to gain information about electronic structure of MOFs

Subdiscipline:

Coordination Chemistry

Spectroscopy and Structural Methods

Related activities:

Energy Nuggets: MOF’s for CO<sub>2</sub> Sequestration

Implementation Notes:

This literature discussion was designed for use in an advanced (upper-level) inorganic chemistry course, but could be used in a foundational inorganic course if students have already been introduced to d-splitting diagrams and are given some coverage of Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. When covering MOFs in class, students frequently expressed that visualizing and understanding the bonding sites and extended 3D structures was very challenging. So, this literature discussion was developed specifically to address that. Students completed this activity in small groups. It is very helpful to advise students ahead of time to bring laptops (or instructor should have some available) and to have the cifs from the paper downloaded and ready to go. We used Mercury as a visualization software for this activity. This activity can easily be completed in one class period. It is also helpful if students have been provided with the article ahead of time and encouraged to look it over – otherwise the most time-consuming part of this activity was allowing time for students to examine the MOF structure images in the paper before being able to discuss and answer the questions with their groups.

Note on visualization of MOFs using Mercury: To answer the discussion questions, we used the ‘stick’ or the ‘ball and stick’ style. We also used the default packing scheme (0.4x0.4x0.4) and the 1x1x1 packing scheme. The packing scheme can be changed by selecting Packing/Slicing… in the Calculate menu. I also had students view the 3x3x3 packing scheme – while this is not necessary to answer the discussion questions, it was interesting for students to be able to visualize the extended structure of the MOFs.

Web Resources:

Iron and Porphyrin Metal−Organic Frameworks: Insight into Structural Diversity, Stability, and Porosity. Fateeva et al

9 Jun 2019

Inorganic Chemistry

Submitted by Caroline Saouma, University of Utah

9 Jun 2019

An improved method for drawing the bonding MO for dihydrogen

Submitted by Adam R. Johnson, Harvey Mudd College

Evaluation Methods:

When I do this correctly, the students don't accidentally see something which may make immature students giggle.

Evaluation Results:

I have had multiple colleagues tell me that this technique worked for them and saved them from repeating an embarassing classroom event.

Description:

Most of us have probably been there. Discussing homonuclear diatomic MO diagrams and on the first day you want to put up the sigma bonding molecular orbital for H₂. If you teach it like me, you emphasize the LCAO-MO approach, so you draw a hydrogen atom with its 1s orbital interacting with a hydrogen atom with its 1s orbital...and then you notice giggling from the less mature audience members. My technique will help to prevent this from happening. The technique is in the "faculty only" files section.

Learning Goals:

The instructor will draw the bonding MO of dihydrogen without accidentally causing laughter in the class or self embarassment.

Corequisites:

Bonding models: Discrete molecules

Equipment needs:

chalkboard or whiteboard

ability to adjust quickly just in case

Course Level:

Prerequisites:

Topics Covered:

Communication skills

Molecular structure

Professional skills development

Visualization

Subdiscipline:

Molecular Structure and Bonding

Science Skills, Practices, and Resources

Implementation Notes:

I have come close to accidentally drawing the incorrect version of this diagram and I am able to stop myself quickly as illustrated in the instructions.

Time Required:

a minute to learn, a lifetime to master.

9 Jun 2019

Chem 165 2018

Submitted by Adam R. Johnson, Harvey Mudd College

This is a collection of LOs that I used to teach a junior-senior seminar course on organometallics during Fall 2018 at Harvey Mudd College. There were a total of 9 students in the course. The Junior student (there was only one this year) was taking 2nd semester organic concurrently and had not takein inorganic (as is typical).

Subdiscipline:

Organometallic Chemistry

Topics Covered:

Bonding models: Discrete molecules

Catalysis

Chemical literature

Communication skills

Organometallic chemistry

Professional skills development

Prerequisites:

First Semester Inorganic Chemistry / Foundation Course in Inorganic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

Corequisites:

Course Level:

9 Jun 2019

1FLO: PCET and Pourbaix

Submitted by Anne Bentley, Lewis & Clark College

Evaluation Methods:

I graded each student’s problems as I would any other homework assignment, and they averaged about 80% on that part of the assignment. The other half of the total points for the assignment came from in-class participation.

Evaluation Results:

We had a rich conversation about this article in class; it was probably one of the most interesting literature discussion conversations I’ve had. Although this was the only introduction to Pourbaix diagrams in the course, 12 of 15 students correctly interpreted a “standard” Pourbaix diagram on a course assessment.

Description:

This set of questions is based on a single figure from Rountree et al. Inorg. Chem. 2019, 58, 6647. In this article (“Decoding Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer with Potential-pKa Diagrams”), Jillian Dempsey’s group from the University of North Carolina examined the mechanism by which a nickel-containing catalyst brings about the reduction of H⁺ to form H₂in non-aqueous solvent. Figure 3 in the article presents an excellent introduction to the use of Pourbaix diagrams and cyclic voltammetry to determine the mechanism of a proton-coupled electron transfer reaction central to the production of hydrogen by a nickel-containing catalyst.

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Topics Covered:

Course Level:

Analyzing a journal article for basic themes, roles of authors, and the scientific method

Learning Goals:

Students should be able to:

- identify atoms in a multidentate ligand that can coordinate to a metal as a Lewis base

- outline the difference between hydride addition to a metal and protonation of a ligand in terms of changes to the overall charge of the complex

- analyze a Pourbaix diagram to predict the redox potential and pKa of a species

Subdiscipline:

Electrochemistry

Related activities:

A discussion on "Electrochemical formation of a surface-adsorbed hydrogen-evolving species"

Electrocatalysis and Proton Reduction

An Introduction to Electrocatalysis: Hydrogen Evolution from Mono and Binuclear Cobalt Complexes

Nanomaterials for Carbon Dioxide Reduction

Implementation Notes:

I have discussed the challenge of integrating literature discussions into my inorganic course in a BITeS post and the VIPEr forums. Each spring I try something a little different. This year I used three articles from the literature to frame our review of course material at the end of the semester, with each literature discussion occupying a one-hour class meeting.

In each case, the students completed problems before coming to class. While these problems were based on the journal articles, they did not require the students to read / consult the journal articles in order to complete the assignment. The students brought an electronic or paper copy of the article to class. I usually put students in groups (approximately 3 per group) and gave each group new questions to work on, which did draw from the article. After some time working in groups, each group presented their material to the rest of the class.

In implementing this particular literature discussion, I didn’t have any further questions for them. I walked through some of the other figures from the article (especially Figure 1). We discussed the authors’ use of color in creating Figure 3. We also reviewed the significance of horizontal vs vertical vs diagonal lines. Because I had not covered Pourbaix diagrams in the course, the activity was a good introduction to the concept.

Because these problems don’t require consultation with the article, they are suitable to use on an exam.

Time Required:

varies

9 Jun 2019

Triphenylphosphine: Transformations of a Common Ligand

Submitted by Bradley Wile, Ohio Northern University

Evaluation Methods:

This lab report is graded using the attached rubric (see faculty files).

Evaluation Results:

Over the last four iterations of this lab, the average total score was ~42/50 (n = 21). Students are generally good at recognizing that a redox process is occurring, though some struggle with this realization. Most students generate a Lewis structure with a dative bond, though some do not use the MO diagram to infer a reasonable direction for the dative interaction. I typically work through this with the students, asking them questions like "which orbitals have electrons?" and "what orbitals are interacting in your Lewis depiction?" This has been a good introduction to these synthetic and instrumental methods, and gives the lab partners an opportunity to divide up their responsibilities.

Description:

This experiment tasks students with preparing triphenylphosphine sulfide, and the corresponding I₂ adduct, then characterizing these products using common instrumental methods. Students are asked to consider MOs and tie this to their Lewis bonding depiction for the final product. This discussion is supported by WebMO calculations and tied to the experimental data obtained by the student.

If you would like to use this lab, please complete the feedback form (faculty files) and let me know how you adapt it. I would like to publish this procedure (eventually), and I am open to collaborative projects to get this to the best final form.

Course Level:

Prerequisites:

Organic Chemistry

Topics Covered:

Main group chemistry

Learning Goals:

After completing this lab report, students should be able to:

Construct an MO diagram for I₂, and relate this to the bonding in the Ph₃PS-I₂ complex
Using MO theory as a basis, decide on the best Lewis representation for Ph₃PS-I₂
Discover the wealth of bonding modes within main group species
Identify changes in the observable spectra for P(III) and P(V) compounds
Search and reference the primary chemical literature using correct ACS reference formatting

Subdiscipline:

Main Group Chemistry

Corequisites: