Cobalt-Ammine complexes and theories of bonding in metals

Submitted by EGunn / Simmons College on Mon, 01/12/2015 - 12:54
Description

This is a two-week lab in which students synthesize and then characterize three Werner cobalt complexes using IR, UV/VIS and computer calculations using Spartan. Syntheses are based on procedures from:

Angelici, R. J. Synthesis and Technique in Inorganic Chemistry. University Science Books, 1996, pp 13-17.

Borer, L.L.; Erdman, H.W.; Norris, C.; Williams, J.; Worrell, J. Synthesis of trans-Tetraamminedichlorocobalt (III) chloride, Inorganic Syntheses, Vol 31, 1997, pp 270-271.

Zeolite Synthesis

Submitted by EGunn / Simmons College on Tue, 01/06/2015 - 16:39
Description

This lab was part of the materials science portion of my second-year inorganic chemistry course. Students synthesize a zeolite structure and grow a chemical garden as examples of silicate chemistry.

Visualization of Zeolite Structure

Submitted by EGunn / Simmons College on Tue, 01/06/2015 - 15:56
Description

Students use a Java-based website to explore the faujasite zeolite structure. The activity questions guide them through identifying different atomic positions within the structure, and orienting the zeolite pores and "cages" relative to the crystal axes. 

Preparation of a Ferrofluid

Submitted by EGunn / Simmons College on Tue, 01/06/2015 - 14:12
Description

This lab handout and supplementary materials were developed based on a publication in the Journal of Chemical Education:

Berger, P.; Adelman, N.; Beckman, K.; Campbell, D.; Ellis, A.; Lisensky, G. Preparation and Properties of an Aqueous Ferrofluid. J. Chem. Educ. 1999, 76 (7), 943-48

The Color and Electronic Configurations of Prussian Blue

Submitted by EGunn / Simmons College on Mon, 01/05/2015 - 14:47
Description

I used this paper to illustrate several course concepts related to materials structure (crystal lattice structure, coordination number, crystal field theory and orbital splitting, symmetry, electronic spectra, allowed and forbidden transitions). This activity was paired with a laboratory experiment (see related VIPEr objects) in which students synthesized Prussian Blue, and gave students a really in-depth look at what was going on when they mixed those solutions together.

d-Orbital Splitting Patterns in a Variety of Ligand Geometries

Submitted by Anthony L. Fernandez / Merrimack College on Mon, 12/29/2014 - 10:43
Description

In this activity, the provided d orbital splitting patterns need to be matched with ligand geometries. Students are provided with the d orbital splitting diagrams for 6 ligand geometries (octahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, square pyramidal, tetrahedral, square planar, and linear). A web browser is used to view an animation (developed by Flick Coleman) which allows for the visualization of the relationship between the positions of the metal d orbitals and the ligands. Given this information, students should then be able to qualitatively rank the orbitals from highest to lowest energy.

Literature Discussion of Hexamminecobalt(III) – Probing Metal Ion Binding Sites in Nucleic Acids by NMR Spectroscopy

Submitted by EGunn / Simmons College on Tue, 12/09/2014 - 13:56
Description

I use this literature discussion in my second year inorganic class as a follow-up to a lab experiment where students synthesize Werner complexes and then (with much guidance) analyze their IR spectra using symmetry and group theory arguments. This paper provides an excellent example of how cobalt complexes are used in modern applications, and serves as a bridge to bioinorganic chemistry, which is a central feature later in the course.

What Can Go Wrong: A Research Lab Safety Activity

Submitted by Karen McFarlane Holman / Willamette University on Tue, 10/07/2014 - 03:15
Description

Late in their junior year and into the first two months of their senior year, chemistry majors at Willamette write and submit a research proposal.  Shortly before entering the lab for their thesis work, I lead this activity that takes place in our Senior Projects seminar class.  The class meets one hour per week and we cover topics such as how to write an effective grant proposal, ethics in science, presenting data, etc., as well as this safety activity.

Learning from UCLA

Submitted by Sheri Lense / University of Wisconsin Oshkosh on Sat, 09/20/2014 - 19:47
Description

This learning object is designed to spark discussion and educate students taking an inorganic chemistry course about laboratory safety.  It uses the article "Learning from UCLA" by Jyllian N. Kemsley (Chemical & Engineering News (2009), Vol. 87 Issue 31, pp.

Maggie's LOs

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Fri, 09/12/2014 - 17:25