Geometric Control of C-C RE from a Pt(IV) Pincer Complex
Description

When I saw this paper come out, I thought it would make a great teaching paper. It has synthesis, characterization, reaction mechanisms, computational chemistry and it directly impacts catalysis by a thorough examination of the reductive elimination reaction. What are the factors governing the rate of C-C RE? Can geometry (sterics) control reactivity or is it only based on the hybridization (sp2/sp3) of the carbon atom in question (electronics)?

Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College Thu, 01/04/2024 - 15:10
An Exploration of Molecular Dihydrogen Complexes
Description

I wanted my organometallic class to explore the bonding and spectroscopy of the Kubas dihydrogen complex without having to spend the time doing the entire literature discussion (which is really great and I have done it many times in the past) because I wanted to do it in only about 20-30 minutes in a 75 minute class period. Most of the questions come from the Kubas literature discussion, which I shortened. The IR and reduced mass calculations come from an LO I wrote about arene activation by Jones and Feher.

Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College Mon, 11/27/2023 - 14:41

SLiThEr #56: What can the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) do for you?

Submitted by Sarah Shaner / Southeast Missouri State University on Mon, 10/30/2023 - 15:46
Description

In this SLiThEr, Bridget Gourley (DePauw University), Joe Reczek (Denison University), and Kari Stone (Lewis University) discuss getting involved in CUR from the perspectives of a long-time representative, the chair of the chemistry division of CUR, and a fairly new division representative. Learn about the resources and community that are available to support your research.

 

“Five” Slides About: Multiple Bonds
Description

Here are 10 slides to introduce students to multiple bonds formed between transition metals and between transition metals and ligands. This can be adapted to general chemistry, as long as students have learned Lewis diagrams. This can also be extended to add more information on the nature of the multiple bonds for upper division use in inorganic and physical chemistry. 

Rebecca Eikey / Chestnut Hill College Thu, 10/26/2023 - 09:15
SLiThEr #55: "Chemical information meets AI -The continued need for information literacy training"
Description

This is the 55th SLiTher, entitled "Chemical information meets AI -The continued need for information literacy training", presented byJudith Currano  This presentation was an related to Judith's recent fall ACS meeting presentation which explores how research search engines perform searches and how to train students to better utilize these resources.

 

 

Kyle Grice / DePaul University Wed, 10/25/2023 - 17:02
The mechanism of Oxidative addition of Pd(0) to Si-H bonds
Description

I saw Amanda Cook present this work (and another paper, Organometallics202241, 997) at the Organometallics Gordon Conference in summer 2023 and while I was furiously taking notes, I knew that I wanted to teach this paper. The paper elucidates the mechanism of oxidative addition of tertiary silanes to palladium zero phosphine complexes. 

Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College Tue, 10/10/2023 - 18:25

Energetics and mechanisms of reductive elimination from Pt(IV) (short version)

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Tue, 10/10/2023 - 17:39
Description

I am moving away from teaching the Goldberg paper (still one of my favorites) and instead wanted to teach just the highlights as part of my seminar class in organometallic chemistry this fall. I created this shorter version of the activity to use in class. I did NOT have them read the paper in advance, hence the summaries in the LO itself. 

 

Electron Transfer through a Photosynthetic Reaction Center
Description

This is a computer-based activity intended for a bioinorganic chemistry course composed of upper-level undergraduate students. It is helpful for students to be familiar with concepts of electron transfer, including a surface-level introduction to Marcus theory and the inverted region, and photosynthetic charge separation before beginning this activity. However, this activity can easily be adapted to students with other levels of preparation in a bioinorganic course.

Levi Ekanger / The College of New Jersey Thu, 09/07/2023 - 16:23

SLiThEr #52: Warming up for Inorganic- Helping students remember what we think they should already know

Submitted by Taylor Haynes / California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo on Fri, 09/01/2023 - 13:12
Description

In this SLiThEr, Sarah St. Angelo from Dickinson College shares some of her strategies for helping students remember concepts and skills from prior coursework that they "should" remember before her junior/senior inorganic course. Student-led review presentations, LMS-based warm-up topics and quiz, and a rapid collaborative recollection of models of bonding help Sarah's students remember important ideas and take ownership of their learning from early in the semester.

The short game
Description

I am currently in the process of teaching flipped General Chemistry I for the second time. The first time I did it, I do not think I did a great job of 'selling' the students on this modality of learning. I received some very negative student comments including one that suggested this was just a lazy method of teaching. So, I've made some changes the second time, in particular my pitch of the idea.

Chip Nataro / Lafayette College Thu, 08/31/2023 - 17:09