Contemporary Inorganic Chemists

Submitted by Betsy Jamieson / Smith College on Tue, 01/13/2009 - 11:59
Description
This is an assignment I use to give students a sense of what kinds of problems real life, contemporary inorganic chemists work on.  I start out by having them find 2 contemporary inorganic chemists.  They give a 15-20 min presentation on their two chemists that gives a general overview of their research projects.  Once everyone has done their general presentation, I have students choose a specific journal article by one of their chemists to present in class.  I usually have this assignment run throughout the semester, with the general presentations taking place in the first half of the semeste

House: Inorganic Chemistry

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 15:35
Description

House (Inorganic chemistry):  The book is divided into 5 parts:  first, an introductory section on atomic structure, symmetry, and bonding; second, ionic bonding and solids; third, acids, bases and nonaqueous solvents; fourth, descriptive chemistry; and fifth, coordination chemistry.  The first three sections are short, 2-4 chapters each, while the descriptive section (five chapters) and coordination chemistry section (seven chapters covering ligand field theory, spectroscopy, synthesis and reaction chemistry, organometallics, and bioinorganic chemistry.) are longer.  Each chapter includes

Bonding and Electronic Structure of a 14-electron W(II) bound to 4-electron pi-donors

Submitted by Hilary Eppley / DePauw University on Sun, 01/11/2009 - 12:01
Description

This paper is a meaty communication that covers novel bonding of 4 e- π-donors to a 14-electron species. Requires students to apply their knowledge of electron counting and organometallic bonding to ligands that are acting in novel ways.  This also includes exercises dealing with chemical information and general questions that require students to put the science in context. 

The 18 Electron Guideline: A Primer

Submitted by Nancy Williams / Scripps College, Pitzer College, Claremont McKenna College on Sat, 01/10/2009 - 19:35
Description

This consists of two parts (and a solution, which is linked below under "Related Resources", but for which you will need a faculty privileges): a primer for students (best if handed out prior to class so that students can read it beforehand, or delivered in pre-lecture format) and a worksheet. The worksheet is designed to be done in small groups with assistance from an instructor. In very large classes, in which the instructor cannot circle amongst the groups, the instructor can work through each example after the groups have a few minutes to work the problem on their own. 

Inorganic Chemistry Just Makes You Want to Sing!

Submitted by Maggie Geselbracht / Reed College on Sat, 12/27/2008 - 19:35
Description

Here is a fun way to learn about inorganic chemistry!  These songs were composed and passed along to me by Tom Mallouk at Penn State with his permission to post here on VIPEr.  I Can't Get No Bragg Diffraction was a joint effort put together one year at a Gordon Research Conference on Solid State Chemistry.  Sorry, no recording!  The tune n-doped, recorded by the Band Edges, covers the electronic structure behind semiconductor devices.  Download the lyrics for both and the mp3 file for n-doped!  There is a

Putting electrochemistry to use: Design of new lithium-ion battery anodes

Submitted by Maggie Geselbracht / Reed College on Fri, 11/28/2008 - 20:55
Description
This learning object focuses on a discussion of a recent paper that highlights the application of electrochemistry in inorganic materials chemistry: “Direct Electrodeposition of Cu2Sb for Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes” by James M. Mosby and Amy L. Prieto, J. Am. Chem. Soc.

Assessing Chemical Hazards

Submitted by Anne Bentley / Lewis & Clark College on Tue, 10/14/2008 - 20:17
Description

This is a short activity I developed to help my students interpret Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Students rank unknown compounds from least safe to most safe, and the compounds' identities are revealed. The class discusses other factors to consider in evaluating the safety of an experiment. The "MSDS activity" word document contains a more full description.

Sherlock Holmes in Transition-Metal Chemistry

Submitted by Patrick Holland / Yale University on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 10:35
Description
This Challenge practices problem-solving and several different characterization techniques for coordination compounds. Inorganic Challenges are exercises designed to be solved by a small group of students. Some Challenges practice a problem-solving algorithm, some reinforce important concepts, and some involve creativity or games.