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This activity was designed to assess student comprehension of how changes in pi-donation from ligands can affect both crystal field splitting and metal spin states. The activity requires students to practice electron counting, idealized crystal field splitting, and then apply these concepts to explain the observed change from low to high spin caused by the loss of a proton.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| LD_CoSpinSwitch_2025_handout_0.docx | 24.8 KB |
1) Accurately count electrons at metal centers in bimetallic systems.
2) Assign metal spin states using crystal field theory.
3) Explain how changes in ligands alters crystal field splitting.
This LO was developed as part of a sabbatical and has not yet been implemented in the classroom. The intent is to serve as a formative assessment of student comprehension of crystal field theory, spin states, and ligand bonding. While written as an in-class activity the LO could readily be assigned as homework.
Evaluation
Student comprehension may be evaluated using the key to the handout questions.