Spartan models, selected molecular orbital surfaces and slices were calculated in advance for the students using an appropriate level of theory.  Students were already familiar with the use of Spartan to visualize molecular orbitals from a previous conference activity (a one hour session) examining the MOs of N₂ and CO.  The detailed “help sheet” and handout for this conference activity is attached below.  Although many of the details in these handouts are particular to our computer lab, I left them in to show the level of detail that I provide for students in the instructions.  

I have assigned these same questions as problem set questions in previous years (usually no more than one per year), but in this iteration, I assigned all three as an extensive in-class activity for students to complete while I was away at the ACS meeting.  I anticipated a minimum of 3 hours for this activity to compensate for 3 missed class sessions.  In my understanding, this was mostly accurate for time required, although some students spent longer.  

The textbook that I was using in this particular year was Housecroft & Sharpe, 3rd edition.  I usually point them to the appropriate MO diagrams in their text to compare to the Spartan results.  Obviously, the MO diagrams vary from text to text, and it is helpful to look at these in advance in case you need to change the hints at all on various questions.

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