Computational Inorganic Chemistry: An Introduction

Submitted by Rebecca M. Jones / George Mason University on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 16:00
Description

The attached lecture provides a brief overview to computational methods and introduces their application to inorganic systems.  Two specific literature examples are included.  I have given this lecture in a senior level advanced inorganic chemistry class for the past 3 years.

Exploring Photographic Chemistry

Submitted by Rebecca M. Jones / George Mason University on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 15:27
Description
This set of experiments is a fun way for students to be experience interesting redox chemistry.  I have taught this series of experiments in my first semester junior level inorganic class for the past 5 years.  In part 1, students create salted paper prints with different binders.  Part 2 involves the synthesis of Prussian blue as cyanotypes are formed on paper and cloth.  In part 3, students design t

Pigment Syntheses and Qualitative Analysis

Submitted by Rebecca M. Jones / George Mason University on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 15:13
Description

This set of experiments provides an introduction to simple inorganic synthesis and qualitative analysis of inorganic pigments.  I have taught this series of experiments in my first semester junior level inorganic class for the past 5 years.  In part 1, students synthesize five inorganic pigments.  Part 2 involves identifying an unknown inorganic white pigment by chemical and physical tests.  These

hybrid orbitals for main group and transition metal complexes

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Tue, 03/08/2011 - 22:58
Description
This handout shows how the s, p and d orbitals of appropriate symmetry can mix in Cnv and Dnh point groups (n = 3-4). A high-level Gaussian calculation serves to "back up" my "back-of-the-envelope" drawings of some of the hybrid orbitals.

Metals and Life by Eleanor Crabb and Elaine Moore

Submitted by Amanda Reig / Ursinus College on Tue, 02/22/2011 - 08:27
Description

This appears to be an excellent introductory text for bioinorganic chemistry.  The authors assume no previous biochemistry knowledge and only a cursory understanding of concepts in inorganic chemistry is required.  Any student who has completed general chemistry should find most of the book readily accessible. 

Ligand Field Theory in Coordination Complexes- In Class Exercise

Submitted by Sheila Smith / University of Michigan- Dearborn on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:19
Description

This is an In class exercise on the subject of Ligand Field theory.  It reviews nomenclature and introduces ideas of ligand field splitting and spin in transition metal complexes.  It includes both a worksheet for classroom use, a worksheet key which includes some information not on the student worksheet .

The Electronic Properties of tris-(2,2'-bipyridine)-ruthenium(II) Lab Experiment(s)

Submitted by Jared Paul / Villanova University on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 19:41
Description

This is a lab experiment designed to cover an array of techniques, including metal complex synthesis, spectroscopy and electrochemistry.  Overall, the goal is to synthesize the metal complex Ru(bpy)32+, exchange the counter ion to demonstrate changes in solubility, absorbance and emission properties (including excited state quenching through energy and electron transfer, and ground state oxidation), as well as cyclic voltammetry of the complex.

The History of the 18-Electron Rule

Submitted by Sibrina Collins / College of Arts and Sciences at Lawrence Technological University on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 14:58
Description

This learning object focuses on fundamental concepts of organometallic chemistry. I use an article published in the Journal of Chemical Education (Jensen, W.B. "The Origin of the 18-Electron Rule," J. Chem. Educ.

Textbook reviews of organometallic textbooks in the journal Organometallics

Submitted by Barbara Reisner / James Madison University on Thu, 01/06/2011 - 05:52
Description

Organometallics has just published a series of reviews of new organometallic textbooks.
Navarro, O.; Vicic, D. A.; Jensen, C. New Organometallic Textbook Reviews. Organomet. 2011, ASAP, DOI:10.1021/om101126k.

The textbooks that are reviewed are:

1) The Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Metals, 5th ed. Robert H. Crabtree (Yale University, USA). Wiley: Hoboken, NJ, USA. 2009. ISBN 978-0-470-25762-3.

Student Literature-Based Organometallic Lecture

Submitted by Jeffrey Rood / Elizabethtown College on Mon, 01/03/2011 - 14:42
Description
I taught an advanced inorganic chemistry course for the first time this past fall. I focused strictly on organometallic chemistry and we used Spessard and Miessler's book. Because this book is focused on transition metal organometallics, I wanted the students to appreciate some of the organometallic chemistry of the s- and p-block (and zinc). Students worked in pairs (the class size was 12) and had most of the semester to research the literature and develop a 40-50 minute lecture. I also had them develop homework questions and an in class activity to help engage the other students.