This is a computational/molecular modeling supplement to the synthesis of [1,3,5-C6H3(CH3)3]MoCO3 included in the third edition of "Synthesis and Technique in Inorganic Chemistry" (see full citation below)*. Students optimize the model and compute an infrared spectrum and compare it to their experimental (solution) spectrum.
*G. S. Giorlami, T. B. Rauchfuss, R. J. Angelici “Synthesis and Technique in Inorganic Chemistry: A Laboratory Manual”, Third Edition
This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of a Cr(I) dimer with a very short Cr-Cr distance. Computational studies support fivefold bonding between the chromium atoms. I have used this paper to introduce metal-metal multiple bonds and discuss the molecular orbital interactions of homonuclear diatomics including d-orbitals. More generally, it is a nice example to stimulate the discussion of what constitutes a bond and the various interpretations of bond order.
Miessler and Tarr is an inorganic textbook which is is best suited to an upper-division one-semester inorganic course, though there is more material than can be covered in a single semester, so some choice of topics is necessary. It is very well suited for a course oriented around structure, bonding, and reaction chemistry of transition metal compounds, but is very limited in its treatment of solids, main-group, descriptive chemistry, and bioinorganic. Pchem would be helpful but is not necessary. In particular, the treatment of MO theory is very in-depth. The quality of end-of chapter p
Housecroft and Sharpe (Inorganic Chemistry, 3ed): This is a comprehensive inorganic textbook designed primarily for students at the Junior/Senior level. P-Chem would not be needed as a prerequisite for this text, but would be helpful. It includes both theoretical and descriptive material along with special topics, enough for a two semester course though it is easily adaptable to a one-semester "advanced inorganic" course by choosing only some topics. It is written in a clear and generally readable style and the full-color graphic contribute to student understanding.
This is a literature discussion assignment in which students read a paper, come up with their own answers to the provided questions (and submit them). This is followed by a general in-class discussion on the paper. This particular article deals with hydrosilyation of carbonyl compounds by a Re catalyst and describes the mechanism and kinetics in detail. I found it a good paper to help students connect their P-chem (and inorganic) kinetics with a "real" system. As part of the literature assignment, I also ask students to draw an MO diagram of a simple substrate (for review).
The students prepare a short proposal outlining their desired target and why they want to make it. Chemicals are ordered, and during the last 3-4 weeks of the semester, the students carry out their synthesis. The writeup is as a paper submtited to the journal Inorganic Chemistry using the template from the journal web page.