Metals and Life by Eleanor Crabb and Elaine Moore

Submitted by Amanda Reig / Ursinus College on Tue, 02/22/2011 - 08:27
Description

This appears to be an excellent introductory text for bioinorganic chemistry.  The authors assume no previous biochemistry knowledge and only a cursory understanding of concepts in inorganic chemistry is required.  Any student who has completed general chemistry should find most of the book readily accessible. 

Ligand Field Theory in Coordination Complexes- In Class Exercise

Submitted by Sheila Smith / University of Michigan- Dearborn on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:19
Description

This is an In class exercise on the subject of Ligand Field theory.  It reviews nomenclature and introduces ideas of ligand field splitting and spin in transition metal complexes.  It includes both a worksheet for classroom use, a worksheet key which includes some information not on the student worksheet .

The Electronic Properties of tris-(2,2'-bipyridine)-ruthenium(II) Lab Experiment(s)

Submitted by Jared Paul / Villanova University on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 19:41
Description

This is a lab experiment designed to cover an array of techniques, including metal complex synthesis, spectroscopy and electrochemistry.  Overall, the goal is to synthesize the metal complex Ru(bpy)32+, exchange the counter ion to demonstrate changes in solubility, absorbance and emission properties (including excited state quenching through energy and electron transfer, and ground state oxidation), as well as cyclic voltammetry of the complex.

The History of the 18-Electron Rule

Submitted by Sibrina Collins / College of Arts and Sciences at Lawrence Technological University on Sat, 01/22/2011 - 14:58
Description

This learning object focuses on fundamental concepts of organometallic chemistry. I use an article published in the Journal of Chemical Education (Jensen, W.B. "The Origin of the 18-Electron Rule," J. Chem. Educ.

A really neat periodic table

Submitted by John Gilje / James Madison University on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 09:20
Description

A really neat interactive periodic table

Cyclic voltammetry

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 07:28
Description

This is a short presentation on cyclic voltammetry. It is covers the basics and some simple electrode mechanisms. There is room for improvement (especially in my art) and suggestions are welcome.

The organometallic hypertext book

Submitted by Madeleine Schultz / Queensland University of Technology on Mon, 09/06/2010 - 06:11
Description

I am sure most people already use this but I always refer to students to the Organometallic hypertext book. It has excellent explanations of topics such as back-donation in organometallic complexes.

http://www.ilpi.com/organomet/

First Isolation of the AsP3 Molecule

Submitted by Anne Bentley / Lewis & Clark College on Fri, 09/03/2010 - 13:47
Description

Early in 2009, Christopher Cummins’ group at MIT reported (in Science) the synthesis of AsP3, a compound that had never been isolated at room temperature.  Later that year, a full article was published in JACS comparing the properties and reactivity of AsP3 to those of its molecular cousins, P4 and As4.  The longer article is full of possibilities for discussion in inorganic chemistry courses, with topics including periodic trends, NMR, vibrational spectroscopy, electrochemistry, molecular orbital theory, and coordination chemistry.

Introducing Inorganic Chemistry - First Day Activities

Submitted by Barbara Reisner / James Madison University on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 15:53
Description

Every time I teach inorganic, I always ask myself the question: “What’s the best way to motivate the course and get the students excited?” A long time ago, I decided it’s important to start with some music. (Until last year, Tom Lehrer’s The Elements was my favorite. As a TMBG fan, I’ve swiched to Meet the Elements.)

Towards "Personalized Solar Energy": An Inexpensive Oxygen-Evolving Catalyst

Submitted by Anne Bentley / Lewis & Clark College on Fri, 08/27/2010 - 15:54
Description

In the two years since this article was published, it has jump-started a large amount of research in the area of cobalt-based catalysts for solar water splitting.  The paper describes the electrochemical synthesis and oxygen-evolution capabilities of a Co-phosphate catalyst under very mild conditions.  The paper can stimulate discussion of many topics found in the inorganic curriculum, including electrochemistry, semiconductor chemistry, transition metal ion complex kinetic trends, and solid state and electrochemical characterization techniques.