Demonstration of Hard-Soft Acid-Base Theory: An Ion-Exchanger for Recovery of Rare Earth Metals

Submitted by Gary Guillet / Furman University on Wed, 07/08/2020 - 08:19
Description

The article from The Journal of the American Chemical Society by M. Kanatzidis et al describes a new ion-exchange material (FJSM-SnS) that shows high selectivity for rare-earth metals (REE) and very fast adsorption kinetics.  A number of techniques are used to characterize the properties of the compound that students may not be very familiar with but the article presents in an accessible way.

The Global Inorganic Discussion Weekday (GIDW)

Submitted by Faculty Flo / Slitherin' State University on Sat, 07/04/2020 - 10:03

The Global Inorganic Discussion Weekday (GIDW) is a virtual inorganic chemistry symposium series organized and co-hosted by Saurabh Chitnis (Dalhousie University) and Marcus Drover (University of Windsor).

Applications of Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLPs)

Submitted by Brad Wile / Ohio Northern University on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 11:22
Description

Short prompts for a mini review about recent applications in FLP chemistry. Trends in Chemistry also includes highlights and outstanding questions in the sidebar, which makes this an approachable review for students. 

Case Study: Animal Migration and Isotopes

Submitted by Lyndsay Munro / University of Nevada on Tue, 02/11/2020 - 15:11
Description

This is an in-class case study activity that introduces relevancy between atomic structure (specifically isotopes) and animal migration.  Students will apply their knowledge of isotopes, writing atomic symbols, and calculating average atomic mass while also connecting this information to another application (in this case animal migration).  

How many elements have valid element symbols at the center (middle letter if odd number of letters in name, middle two if even) of their name? Bonus for naming the two that contain their own symbols.

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Fri, 04/20/2018 - 10:27

For names with an odd number of letters the center letter must be a valid symbol. For names with an even number of letters the center two letters must be a valid symbol.

Literature Discussion of "A stable compound of helium and sodium at high pressure"

Submitted by Nicole Crowder / University of Mary Washington on Sat, 06/03/2017 - 11:26
Description

This paper describes the synthesis of a stable compound of sodium and helium at very high pressures. The paper uses computational methods to predict likely compounds with helium, then describe a synthetic protocol to make the thermodynamically favored Na2He compound. The compound has a fluorite structure and is an electride with the delocalization of 2e- into the structure.

This paper would be appropriate after discussion of solid state structures and band theory.

The questions are divided into categories and have a wide range of levels.

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