Computational Inorganic Chemistry: An Introduction
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.
The Electronic Properties of tris-(2,2'-bipyridine)-ruthenium(II) Lab Experiment(s)
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.
Student Literature-Based Organometallic Lecture
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.
2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
It's an exciting day for the IONiC/VIPEr community!!
The 2010 Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded to Richard F. Heck, Ei-ichi Negishi, and Akira Suzuki for palladium-catalyzed cross couplings in organic synthesis!
Here's a link to the Nobel Prize page:
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2010/
First Isolation of the AsP3 Molecule
Description
Early in 2009, Christopher Cummins’ group at MIT reported (in Science) the synthesis of AsP3, a compound that had never been isolated at room temperature. Later that year, a full article was published in JACS comparing the properties and reactivity of AsP3 to those of its molecular cousins, P4 and As4. The longer article is full of possibilities for discussion in inorganic chemistry courses, with topics including periodic trends, NMR, vibrational spectroscopy, electrochemistry, molecular orbital theory, and coordination chemistry.
Introducing Inorganic Chemistry - First Day Activities
Description
Every time I teach inorganic, I always ask myself the question: “What’s the best way to motivate the course and get the students excited?” A long time ago, I decided it’s important to start with some music. (Until last year, Tom Lehrer’s The Elements was my favorite. As a TMBG fan, I’ve swiched to Meet the Elements.)
12 Slides About African American Contributions to the Chemical Sciences
Description
This presentation provides a brief overview of the contributions of five AfricanAmerican chemists, including two inorganic chemists. George Washington Carver is quite often themost celebrated African American chemist (soil chemist), but he is only one individual! There are many other African Americans that have made important and significant contributions to the chemical sciences. The profiles include inorganic chemists, namely, Professor Gregory H. Robinson, University of Georgia and Dr. Novella Bridges, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).
Formal NSF Styled Proposal Writing in Preparation for Original Multi-Week Laboratory Projects
Description
The advanced inorganic chemistry course is completed by all chemistry majors at Wabash College during the fall of their senior year. The capstone character of the course provides an excellent opportunity for utilizing an investigator model of laboratory learning. Student teams are responsible for the preparation of a formal, National Science Foundation (NSF) styled proposal stating the goals, context, experimental timetable, safety considerations, and budget for the execution of an original laboratory project.
Synthesis and Molecular Modeling of Sodium Tetrathionate
Description
This experiment is a computational supplement to synthesis of sodium tetrathionate described in "Macroscale Inorganic Chemistry: A Comprehensive Laboratory Experience".* Students will synthesize one sulfur oxyanion (tetrathionate), optimize and compute IR spectra for their synthesized product. In addition, students will predict (using symmetry arguments) and then compute the IR vibrational modes for six additional sulfur oxyanions. A comparison of theoretical (IR spectra),