Summer SLiThErs
As we head into June, it is time to be thinking about upcoming SLiThEr events. While the entire schedule is not quite set yet, I can provide a brief glimpse into what could be coming up this summer.
Literature 3-2-1
Description
This is a general assignment given prior to discussing a paper in class. Students are asked to read a particular literature paper, and then fill out the template giving the citation information of the paper and: three (3) new things they learned from the paper, two (2) questions that reading the paper raised for them or left unanswered, and one (1) reference cited by the paper that the student thinks is worth reading and why. The assignment helps seed the discussion prior to class, and gives the instructor some information about specific details to discuss to fill in gaps in the students'
Discussion of "Dirhodium(II/II)/NiO Photocathode for Photoelectrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution with Red Light" (Turro)
Description
This Learning Object is dedicated to Prof. Claudia Turro as part of the VIPEr LGBTQIAN+ LO collection created in celebration of Pride Month (Jun) 2022. Prof. Turro was featured in the April 2022 special virtual issue Out in Inorganic Chemistry: A Celebration of LGBTQIAPN+ Inorganic Chemists (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c00729). Claudia holds a special place in my heart. I came out later in life, and she was incredibly supportive as I wrestled with my identity as a gay man.
Mechanistic Study of Competitive sp3-sp3 and sp2-sp3 Carbon-Carbon Reductive Elimination from a Platinum(IV) Center and the Isolation of a C-C Agostic Complex (Williams)
Description
This literature discussion focuses on a J. Am. Chem. Soc. communication that describes a series of Pt complexes that exhibit competitive reductive elimination reactions to form either an sp2-sp3 bond or an sp3-sp3 bond. One of the complexes also contains a C-C agostic interaction with the metal. The questions are written to be addressed by students in a foundation-level inorganic course.
New Publication! Inorganic Chemistry and Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences
In a follow-up to our publication that describes inorganic chemistry instructional laboratories within the United States, we share findings related to the use of Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE’s) in inorganic chemistry courses.
Guided Literature Discussion of “Synthesis of Rhodium and Iridium Complexes Supported by Bis(indolylphosphino)silyl Pincer Ligation: Competitive N−H and C−H Bond Activation by an Ir(I) Species”
Description
This Guided Literature Discussion was assigned as a course project and is the result of work originated by students Elina Andreassen and Abigail Palmer.
New Publication - Characterizing the Inorganic Chemistry Instructional Laboratory!
The Grand Experiment has been going on for the past couple of years where we are trying to understand how to support inorganic professors in adopting evidence-supported teaching approaches.
Upcoming SLiThErs
After a brief break due to a live ACS meeting and the struggle to try to catch up after that meeting, it is time to have our next SLiThEr. For those of you who might be unfamiliar with what a SLiThEr is, it is a Zoom presentation/discussion of a topic of interest to the community. These events are recorded and posted to our YouTube channel. You can get a list of past SLiThErs and links to the videos here. For April, our SLiThErs have a theme of inclusivity.
Catalytic Transformation of Lignin (Abu Omar)
Description
Lignin material from plants may be transformed into useful organic materials. This LO is part of a special VIPEr collection honoring the 2022 ACS National Award recipients in the field of inorganic chemistry. Mahdi Abu Omar was the recipient of the ACS Award in Green Chemistry for his contributions to fundamental science and technology development for catalytic lignin conversion to renewable chemicals, fuels, and materials following green chemistry and engineering principles.
The ditungsten tetracarboxylate story (Sattelberger)
Description
This literature discussion learning object examines the first reported synthesis in 1983 of the long anticipated quadruply bonded ditungsten tetracarboxylate dimers by Dr. Al Sattelberger and co-workers. This LO is part of a special VIPEr collection honoring the 2022 ACS National Award recipients in the field of inorganic chemistry. Alfred P. Sattelberger was the recipient of the 2022 ACS Award for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Inorganic Chemistry.