SLiThEr #43: A Bridge to Specifications Grading
Please join us for SLiThEr #43 with Michael Drummond (St. Mary’s College) on November 30 at 4:00pm EST to learn about an adaptive form of specifications grading. Please sign up here.
SLiThEr #42: These are a few of my favorite labs
Come join us for our next SLiThEr on November 15th at 3 pm eastern. The topic du jour will be your favorite labs. We are asking folks to come and just talk about their favorite lab to teach. You don't need to prepare anything formal for this, just be willing to share. We just ask that you register ahead of time. Although the form asks you to select possible dates, we are locked in on 11/15 at 3 pm.
https://forms.gle/KjiVYjrr6i1XPuRH6
ACS in Indianapolis
The deadline for abstracts is fast approaching (Oct. 17th). We will once again be hosting the Undergraduate Research at the Frontiers of Inorganic Chemistry symposium. Both oral and poster submissions are welcome. This serves as your formal invitation to submit a talk. You can just use Chip Nataro (nataroc@lafayette.edu) as the person that invited you.
Join us for SLiThEr #39 on October 6th!
As we begin a new school year, you may be wondering how to improve your use of LOs in your courses. Well, never fear Chip Nataro is here! Please join us for SLiThEr #39 on Thursday, October 6th at 3 pm Eastern as Chip Nataro (Lafayette University) will lead a discussion in "Learning Object (LO) Development and Course Structuring". Please sign up here for the discussion:
Join us for SLiThEr #38 on September 22
Join us on Thursday, September 22nd at 4:00 pm Eastern for a panel discussion about the PUI Faculty Job Search. Our panelist will be Madalyn Radlauer (San Jose State), Jacob Lutter (Univ. Southern Indiana), and Chris Whitehead (Union College). They will bring the perspectives of those who have recently navigated the process and those who have served on faculty search committees. Please pass this along to anyone you know who is interested in applying to faculty jobs at primarily undergraduate universities. We are looking forward to a great conversation!
Nickel-catalyzed Hydrodefluorination
Description
This paper describes the use of a catalytic nickel system for the hydrodefluorination of aryl amides. While organofluorine compounds are extremely useful because of their unique properties, there are growing concerns about the impact of these compounds on the environment. Carbon-fluorine bonds are extremely strong, and so getting them to react is a significant challenge for chemists.
Molecular Magnets with Lanthanide Metal-Metal Bonding
Description
This literature discussion is based on a 2022 Science paper describing a series of dilanthanide complexes with exceptional magnetic properties due to the presence of metal-metal bonding. These molecules are the first reported species to feature direct bonding between two lanthanides! The paper contains ample material for discussion of molecular symmetry and bonding, oxidation states and electron configurations, and magnetism. The handout includes a description, glossary, discussion questions, and pre-class worksheet.
Hydrogenative Depolymerization of Nylons
Description
This paper describes work from the Milstein group in which ruthenium catalysts with pincer ligands are used to depolymerize nylons by breaking the C-N bond and hydrogenating the resulting products to amines and alcohols. Waste plastic is a serious environmental concern that needs a solution. Organometallic chemists put significant effort into finding ways to convert monomers into polymers, and now we must figure out ways to do the reverse.
Activation of η5-Cyclopentadienyl Ligands toward Nucleophilic Attack through η5 → η3 Ring Slippage. Kinetics, Thermodynamics, and NMR Spectroscopy
Description
This literature discussion was created to accompany the coordination chemistry chapter of a foundation-level inorganic course. It introduces the concept of cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ring slippage as a mechanism for ligand substitution.
Low-Coordinate Transition-Metal Complexes of a Carbon-Substituted Hemiporphyrazine
Description
This literature discussion was created to accompany the coordination chemistry chapter of a foundation-level inorganic course. It introduces the concept of C-H agostic interactions.