SLiThEr #1: Creating online inorganic chemistry labs

Submitted by Kyle Grice / DePaul University on Tue, 12/29/2020 - 14:29
Description

This is the link to the first SLiThEr (Supporting Learning with Interactive Teaching: a Hosted, Engaging Roundtable), presented by Kyle Grice and Hosted by Chip Nataro. The SLiThEr was recorded and posted on YouTube (see the web resources link). 

Pencasts for Inorganic Chem: Finding Vibrations from Group Theory

Submitted by Kyle Grice / DePaul University on Mon, 12/14/2020 - 13:18
Description

These are two "Livescribe Pencasts" I have used for inorganic chemistry. I made them with an Echo 2 Livescribe pen for my 10-week Junior/Senior Inorganic chemistry course. We teach with MFT and I use these as supplemental materials outside of class (both for f2f and online versions of this class).

Synthesis of Fluorescent Aluminum Complexes

Submitted by Taylor Haynes / California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo on Fri, 08/28/2020 - 15:34
Description

In this experiment, Students synthesize a Schiff Base and the corresponding aluminum complex to measure fluorescence. The lab provides exposure to air-free synthetic techniques, including the use of Schlenk Line techniques and safe handling of sure-seal bottles. Following data collection, students will be able to explain fluorescence spectroscopy and compare it to absorbance spectroscopy.

d-Orbital games

Submitted by Patricia Stan / Taylor University on Mon, 08/17/2020 - 12:55
Description

This is a great site for chemistry fun while you learn. They have multiple games, most free if you want to print your own.The card game that I am using is 18.  It is played like 21 or blackjack but uses metal centers and ligands to get to 18.  A fun way to teach 18 e- rule and familiarize students with ligands. My husband suggests using Dove squares instead of the optional benzene "chips" for "betting" which I think will make it very competitive.

Slap count also teaches counting 18 electrons.

A cobalt hydroformylation catalyst tribute to Malcolm Green

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Mon, 07/27/2020 - 20:00
Description

In this paper (Llewellyn, Green and Cowley, Dalton Trans. 2006, 4164-4168) the synthesis and characterization of two cobalt compounds with an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand (IMes) are reported. the first, [Co(CO)3(IMes)Me] was prepared by the reaction of [Co(CO)3(PPh3)Me] with IMes. The second compound, [Co(CO)3(IMes)COMe] is formed by the addition of Co to the first.

A copper "Click" catalyst for the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Wed, 06/10/2020 - 11:40
Description

This paper (Gayen, F.R.; Ali, A.A.; Bora, D.; Roy, S.; Saha, S.; Saikia, L.; Goswamee, R.L. and Saha, B. Dalton Trans2020, 49, 6578) describes the synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of a copper complex with a ferrocene-containing Schiff base ligand. The article is relatively short but packed with information. However, many of the details that are assumed knowledge in the article make for wonderful questions some of which I hope I have captured.

Gold carbonyl complexes

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Tue, 06/09/2020 - 15:06
Description

I've been meaning to write an LO on non-classical metal carbonyl complexes for a long time. This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of a gold carbonyl prepared in superacidic media. The LO asks the students to do some relatively straightforward reduced mass calculations to predict the 13C labeled CO stretch from the unlabeled one, but then asks the students to think about /why/ the Au-CO stretch is /higher/ than that of free CO.

Inorganic Active Learning Lesson Plan Design

Submitted by Meghan Porter / Indiana University on Fri, 05/15/2020 - 09:05
Description

I created this activity as a way to get the class involved in creating new, fun ways to teach course concepts (selfishly- that part is for me) and for students to review concepts prior to the final exam (for them).  Students use a template to create a 15-20 min activity that can be used in groups during class to teach a concept we have learned during the semester.  We then randomly assign the activities and students work in groups to complete them and provide feedback.

The benefits are twofold:

Migratory Insertion Guided inquiry

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Mon, 04/06/2020 - 12:43
Description

The migratory insertion reaction is one of the "four" main reactions in organometallic chemistry. It involves the formation of an acyl group by insertion of a CO molecule into a metal alkyl bond. The reaction is sometimes called the carbonyl insertion reaction because the product appears to be a result of direct insertion of the CO into the metal alkyl, but that name implies a mechanistic pathway that may not be in operation.

Handling Air Sensitive Reagents and Working with a Schlenk Line (the COVID19 version)

Submitted by Lori Watson / Earlham College on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 13:18
Description

One of the features of the laboratory associated with my Inorganic chemistry course is learning to do some air sensitive chemistry using Schlenk lines (and sometimes gloveboxes).  Of course, COVID19 is keeping us out of the lab this year!  This is a collection of short web based resources (text and video) detailing begining use of a Schlenk line, something about drying and degassing solvents, and transferring liquids to a reaction flask.  It is accompanied by questions I am having students answer as part of the alternate lab I am creating in place of our usual organometallic lab experiemnt.