Synthesis and Migratory-Insertion Reactivity of CpMo(CO)3(CH3): Small-Scale Organometallic Preparations Utilizing Modern Glove-Box Techniques

Submitted by Matt Whited / Carleton College on Mon, 08/26/2013 - 14:22
Description

This laboratory experiment spans three weeks and introduces advanced undergraduates to modern small-scale synthesis techniques involving an inert-atmosphere glove box.  The robust syntheses transform [CpMo(CO3]2 into the methylated CpMo(CO)3(CH3) and examine the phosphine-induced migratory insertion to form various Cp-supported Mo(II) acetyl complexes.  At each step in the synthesis, a combination of IR and multinuclear (1H, 13C, and 31P) NMR spectroscopies allow students to assess the purity of their products and

Molecular Structure - The Curious Case of Iron Tetracarbonyl

Submitted by Zachary Tonzetich / University of Texas at San Antonio on Thu, 06/27/2013 - 12:16
Description

This in-class activity traces the many contributions leading to the correct assignment for the solid-state structure of triiron dodecacarbonyl, [Fe3(CO)12],  with the aim of reinforcing ideas about IR spectroscopy and group theory. I give this activity to my advanced inorganic chemistry class (graduate students and senior undergrads). The activity is loosely based on the paper: Desiderato, R., Jr.; Dobson, G. R. J. Chem. Educ. 1982, 59, 752-756 and incorporates questions about symmetry and group theory for metal carbonyls.

Collaborative Team Competition for Identification of Symmetry Operations on (Paper) Models

Submitted by Sophia E. Hayes / Washington University on Thu, 06/27/2013 - 08:18
Description

Students work individually, then compete in teams, to identify symmetry elements and operations present in a high-symmetry structure, such as an octahedron or tetrahedron (without showing the character table until the end of the activity).  Students often  visualize symmetry elements differently from one another.  Creating teams, allows them to work collaboratively, and the competition adds an incentive for finding the most elements.  Since some students are better at seeing some symmetry elements (and operations) than others, it allows for them to work in small groups to both teach and lea

Literature summary through student presentation - free choice of topic.

Submitted by Cameron Gren / University of North Alabama on Wed, 06/26/2013 - 07:59
Description

(1) Student choses and reads a journal article of his/her choice that is related to a topic we have discussed during the semester. (i.e. atomic structure, MO theory, group theory, solid state structure, band theory, coordination chemistry, organometallics, catalysis). Suggested journals include, but are not limited to JACS, Inorg. Chem., Organometallics, Angew. Chem., JOMC, Chem. Comm.)

(2) Student answers the following questions regarding their chosen article:

    (a) Describe, in 1 or 2 sentences the goal of this work. 

Symmetry, Group Theory, and Computational Chemistry

Submitted by Joanne Stewart / Hope College on Mon, 06/24/2013 - 22:46

These Learning Objects were used in an advanced undergraduate chemistry course that used computational chemistry as an integrative tool to help students deepen their understanding of structure, bonding, and reactivity and practice their integrative expertise by addressing complex problems in the literature and in their own research.

[RuH(NO3)(CO)2(PPh3)2]: An analysis of the literature

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 18:47
Description

The original description of the synthesis of [RuH(NO3)(CO)2(PPh3)2 appears in Inorg. Chem. (Critchlow, P. B.; Robinson, S. D. Inorg. Chem. 1978, 17, 1896). There are eight possible structures for this octahedral isomer (including two sets of enantiomers). Students are shown one of the structures and asked to draw the remaining seven. The authors analyze the spectroscopic data obtained for the compound in order to determine which isomer formed. Unfortunately, there was an error in the analysis.

A DFT Study of Metal Pentacarbonyls

Submitted by Sibrina Collins / College of Arts and Sciences at Lawrence Technological University on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 16:57
Description

Metal carbonyls are the most widely studied organometallic complexes.  This exercise uses Gaussian with the GaussView interface to investigate the role of the metal centers on backbonding to the CO ligand. Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods were used to evaluate two classic metal pentacarbonyls, namely Fe(CO)5 and Ru(CO)5.

 

MO Theory for Organometallic Compounds: Pentalene

Submitted by Zachary Tonzetich / University of Texas at San Antonio on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 16:54
Description

This is an in-class exercise for upper level inorganic students designed to highlight aspects of symmetry, group theory, MO theory, and Hückel theory. The exercise is an expansion of a Problem Set question I give to my Advanced Inorganic Chemistry class. In this activity, students will develop the MO diagram for the π system of the pentalene dianion using the Hückel approach. They will then consider the effect of folding the ring system using a Walsh diagram.

Online Courses Directory

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Mon, 04/01/2013 - 07:41
Description

This website is a free and comprehensive resource that is a collection of open college courses that spans videos, audio lectures, and notes given by professors at a variety of universities. The website is designed to be friendly and designed to be easily accessed on any mobile device.

So Much Nitrogen: Maggie's Explosive Main Group Compounds

Submitted by W. Stephen McNeil / University of British Columbia Okanagan on Thu, 03/21/2013 - 00:47

Maggie Geselbracht has a great fondness for compounds with too many nitrogen atoms next to each other.  This is a collection of problem sets and class activites based on the structure, bonding, and spectroscopy of a number of such compounds, drawn from the recent literature.

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