29
Jan
2019
Thermodynamics
28
Jan
2019
Inorganic Chemistry
Submitted by Kari Young, Centre College
26
Jul
2018
General Chemistry Collection for New Faculty
Submitted by Kari Stone, Benedictine UniversityVIPEr to the rescue!
The first year as a faculty member is extremely stressful and getting through each class day to day is a challenge. This collection was developed with new faculty teaching general chemistry in mind pulling together resources on the VIPEr site to refer back to as the semester drags along. There are some nice in-class activities, lab experiments, literature discussions, and problem sets for use in the general chemistry course. There are also some nice videos and graphics that could be used to spark interest in your students.
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Course Level:
22
Jun
2018
Bonding and MO Theory in Flavodiiron Nitrosyl Model Complexes - Foundation Level
Submitted by James F. Dunne, Central CollegeEvaluation Methods:
An answer key is included for faculty.
Evaluation Results:
This LO was developed for the summer 2018 VIPEr workshop, and has not yet been implemented. Results will be updated after implementation.
Description:
This acitivty is a foundation level discussion of the Nicolai Lehnert paper, "Mechanism of N-N Bond Formation by Transition Metal-Nitrosyl Complexes: Modeling Flavodiiron Nitric Oxide Reductases". Its focus lies in discussing MO theory as it relates to Lewis structures, as well as an analysis of the strucutre of a literature paper.
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Learning Goals:
Upon completion of this activity, students will be able to:
Write a balanced half reaction for the conversion of NO to N2O and analyze a reaction in terms of bonds broken and bonds formed.
Evaluate the structures of metal complexes to identify coordination number, geometry (reasonable suggestion), ligand denticity, and d-electron count in free FeII/FeIII centers.
Recognize spin multiplicity of metal centers and ligand fragments in a complex.
Interpret a reaction pathway and compare the energy requirements for each step in the reaction.
Draw multiple possible Lewis Structures and use formal charges to determine the best structure.
Draw molecular orbital diagrams for diatomic molecules.
Identify the differences in bonding theories (Lewis vs MO), and be able to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Interpret calculated MO images as σ or π bonds.
Identify bond covalency by interpreting molecular orbital diagrams and data.
Define key technical terms used in an article.
Analyze the structure of a well written abstract.
Identify the overall research goal(s) of the paper.
Discuss the purposes of the different sections of a scientific paper.
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Implementation Notes:
The paper in which this discussion is centered around is very rich in concepts, and will take time for students to digest. As the technical level is higher than most foundation level course, it is strongly recommended that students focus on the structure of the paper, and not the read the entire paper. The discussion is modular with focuses on both MO theory drawn form the paper, as well as a general anatomy of how literature papers are organized and what constitutes a good abstract. Either focus could take a single 50 minute lecture, with two being necessary to complete both aspects. Instructors can choose either focus, or both depending on their course learning goals.
This was developed during the 2018 VIPEr workshop and has not yet been implemented. The above instructions are a guide and any feedback is welcome and appreciated!
Time Required:
One or two 50 minute lectures depending on instructor's desired focus
Web Resources:
22
Jan
2018
Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry
Submitted by Sabrina G. Sobel, Hofstra University
18
Jan
2018
Inorganic Chemistry
Submitted by Adam R. Johnson, Harvey Mudd College
17
Jan
2018
Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
Submitted by Anne Bentley, Lewis & Clark College
15
Jan
2018
Inorganic Chemistry II
Submitted by Chip Nataro, Lafayette College
3
Jun
2017
Literature Discussion of "A stable compound of helium and sodium at high pressure"
Submitted by Katherine Nicole Crowder, University of Mary WashingtonEvaluation Methods:
Students could be evaluated based on their participation in the in-class discussion or on their submitted written answers to assigned questions.
Evaluation Results:
This LO has not been used in a class at this point. Evaluation results will be uploaded as it is used (by Spring 2018 at the latest).
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.
Dong, X.; Oganov, A. R.; Goncharov, A. F.; Stavrou, E.; Lobanov, S.; Saleh, G.; Qian, G.-R.; Zhu, Q.; Gatti, C.; Deringer, V. L.; et al. A stable compound of helium and sodium at high pressure. Nature Chemistry 2017, 9 (5), 440–445 DOI: 10.1038/nchem.2716.
Corequisites:
Course Level:
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Learning Goals:
After reading and discussing this paper, students will be able to
- Describe the solid state structure of a novel compound using their knowledge of unit cells and ionic crystals
- Apply band theory to a specific material
- Describe how XRD is used to determine solid state structure
- Describe the bonding in an electride structure
- Apply periodic trends to compare/explain reactivity
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Related activities:
Implementation Notes:
The questions are divided into categories (comprehensive questions, atomic and molecular properties, solid state structure, electronic structure and other topics) that may or may not be appropriate for your class. To cover all of the questions, you will probably need at least two class periods. Adapt the assignment as you see fit.
CrystalMaker software can be used to visualize the compound. ICE model kits can also be used to build the compound using the template for a Heusler alloy.
Time Required:
2 class periods
3
Jun
2017
An ion exchange method to produce metastable wurtzite metal sulfide nanocrystals
Submitted by Janet Schrenk, University of Massachusetts LowellEvaluation Methods:
Evaluation methods are at the discretion of the instructor. For example, you may ask students to provide written answers to the questions, evaluate whether they participated in class discussion, or ask students to present their answers to specific questions to the class.
Description:
In this literature discussion, students use a paper from the literature to explore the synthesis, structure, characterization (powder XRD, EDS and TEM) and energetics associated with the production of a metastable wurtzite CoS phase. Students also are asked define key terms and acronyms used in the paper; identify the goal of the experiments and determine if the authors met their goal. They examine the fundamental concepts around the key crystal structures available.
Preserving Both Anion and Cation Sublattice Features during a Nanocrystal Cation-Exchange Reaction: Synthesis of a Metastable Wurtzite-Type CoS and MnS
Powell, A.E., Hodges J.M., Schaak, R.E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 471-474.
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jacs.5b10624
There is an in class activitiy specifically written for this paper.
Corequisites:
Course Level:
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Learning Goals:
In answering these questions, a student will be able to…
define important scientific terms and acronyms associated with the paper;
describe the rocksalt, NiAs, wurtzite, and zinc blende in terms of anion packing and cation coordination;
differentiate between the structure types described in the paper;
explain the difference between thermodynamically stable and metastable phases and relate it to a free energy diagram; and
describe the structural and composition information obtained from EDS, powder XRD, and TEM experiments.
Related activities:
Implementation Notes:
This learning object was created at the 2017 IONiC Workshop on VIPEr and Literature Discussion. It has not yet been used in class.
Time Required:
50 minutes
Web Resources:
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