Inquiry-Based Introduction to Carbonyl Ligands

Submitted by Emily Sylvester / Duquesne University on Mon, 06/27/2016 - 17:20
Description

This in-class worksheet introduces students to the different ways we describe organometallic ligands – bonding, properties, spectroscopy, etc. – using carbon monoxide as an example. It is structured as an inquiry-based activity, where students work together in small groups but check in with the entire class at appropriate intervals. I plan to use this activity with my advanced inorganic students next year.

Solid State Stoichiometry Activity

Submitted by George Lisensky / Beloit College on Mon, 06/27/2016 - 17:11
Description

The goal of this activity is to have students calculate the empirical formula of a compound given the contents of a unit cell. 

A repeating building block, or unit cell, is used to represent extended structures since shifting a unit cell along its edges by the length of the edge will exactly replicate the extended structure.

Determining transition metal oxidation states: Recognizing bond metal-ligand types

Submitted by Brandon Quillian / Georgia Southern University on Mon, 06/27/2016 - 16:43
Description

In this in-class activity, students will determine the formal oxidation state of transition metal complexes by performing bonding type analysis of ligand−metal bonds. This in-class project is intended for those with little background in inorganic chemistry and aims to provide simple methods to calculate the formal charge of transition metals through bond-type analysis. While there are more sophisticated models already available to assign transition metal oxidation states, such as the LXZ (CBC) model, this exercise is intended for students who are coordination chemistry novices.

"Flipped Laboratory": A Discussion-based Electrochemistry Experiment for General Chemistry

Submitted by Samuel Esarey / University of Michigan on Mon, 06/27/2016 - 16:43
Description

This learning object is aimed at getting students to think critically about the data they collect in lab as they collect the data similar to how chemists typically conduct research.  They will be given a pre-lab video and a procedure prior to lab, conduct the experiment, and then upload their data to an Excel spreadsheet.  Students will then stay in their group to discuss the questions given to them on the worksheet in class with the instructor, and are allowed to continue working on them as a group up until the due date.

Making Connections between Inorganic Course Content and the Primary Literature

Submitted by Santiago Toledo / St. Edward's University on Mon, 06/27/2016 - 16:43
Description

This assignment is intended to help students develop basic literature reading comprehension skills as well as connect the course content to relevant primary literature. Additionally the activity is coupled to short presentations that develop communication skills.

Coordination Compound Nomenclature Worksheet

Submitted by Elizabeth Jensen / Aquinas College on Mon, 06/27/2016 - 16:33
Description

This is a worksheet for students to complete in class to practice nomenclature of coordination compounds. It may alternatively be assigned as homework after a lesson on nomenclature. Includes examples of Ewing-Bassett system as well as Stock system.

Will it Float? Density of a Bowling Ball Activity

Submitted by Terrie Salupo-Bryant / Manchester University on Mon, 06/27/2016 - 15:17
Description

This activity was adapted from the J. Chem. Ed. article, “Discrepant Event: The Great Bowling Ball Float-Off.” In this activity students use a bowling ball and some basic materials to predict whether the ball will sink or float in a tub of liquid. 

Solid State Stoichiometry Online

Submitted by George Lisensky / Beloit College on Mon, 06/27/2016 - 15:10
Description

The page has JSmol structures for unic cells including cubic, body centered cubic, and face centered cubic unit cells as well as for CsCl, Ni3Al, Cu2O, NaCl, CaF2, ZnS, diamond, Li3Bi, NaTl, NiAl and ReO3The advanced page also has triclinic, monoclinic, hexagonal, orthorhombic, and tetragonal cells with all possible centering.

Uses for Character Tables: IR and Raman Spectroscopy

Submitted by Kristy L. Mardis / Chicago State University on Mon, 06/27/2016 - 10:11
Description

A guided inquiry activity where students use group theory and character tables to practice determining reducible representations for all atoms and the individual bonds (like CO stretches).  The students then reduce the representation, determine which are vibrational modes, and then determine which are IR active using the character table.  For the second portion, they practice using this approach to differentiate between two metal isomers.