Solid-state model building exercise
Description
Students construct models of ionic solids in class and answer a series of questions about the structures.
Lanthanum gallium bismuthide
Description
This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of a new structurally interesting polybismuthide. The bonding is understood through band structure calculations and a retrotheoretical approach, analyzing the interactions of smaller substructures. Discussion is focused on the Ga-Ga bonding interactions and the weaker Ga-Bi and Bi-Bi interactions within the one-dimensional bismuth ribbons.
Miessler and Tarr: Inorganic Chemistry, 3rd. Ed
Description
Miessler and Tarr is an inorganic textbook which is is best suited to an upper-division one-semester inorganic course, though there is more material than can be covered in a single semester, so some choice of topics is necessary. It is very well suited for a course oriented around structure, bonding, and reaction chemistry of transition metal compounds, but is very limited in its treatment of solids, main-group, descriptive chemistry, and bioinorganic. Pchem would be helpful but is not necessary. In particular, the treatment of MO theory is very in-depth. The quality of end-of chapter p
Housecroft and Sharpe: Inorganic Chemistry, 3ed
Description
Housecroft and Sharpe (Inorganic Chemistry, 3ed): This is a comprehensive inorganic textbook designed primarily for students at the Junior/Senior level. P-Chem would not be needed as a prerequisite for this text, but would be helpful. It includes both theoretical and descriptive material along with special topics, enough for a two semester course though it is easily adaptable to a one-semester "advanced inorganic" course by choosing only some topics. It is written in a clear and generally readable style and the full-color graphic contribute to student understanding.
Introduction to Powder X-ray Diffraction
Description
This quick lab experiment is designed to introduce students to powder X-ray diffraction including sample preparation, data collection, and the analysis of diffraction data to refine lattice parameters. Diffraction data is collected for a sample of the cubic perovskite SrTiO3 (useful data can be obtained in relatively short times) and compared to data collected previously (over 6 hours) for the orthorhombic perovskite CaTiO3. Students index the diffraction pattern of SrTiO3 by comparison to the JCPDS database, and use a free program, UnitCell, to refine the l
student choice experiment
Description
The students prepare a short proposal outlining their desired target and why they want to make it. Chemicals are ordered, and during the last 3-4 weeks of the semester, the students carry out their synthesis. The writeup is as a paper submtited to the journal Inorganic Chemistry using the template from the journal web page.
Looking at Solid State Structures
Description
I find that students get a better understanding of solid state structure by playing with models. I give students two fifty-minute class periods to look at the structure types that we discuss in class. This is an old in-class activity that needs massive updating.
In this activity, students look at the holes in different lattice types (simple cubic, ccp, hcp) and the CsCl, NaCl, CdI2, ZnS, and spinel structure types.
Determining Molecular Structure: An Experimental Simulation of X-ray Diffraction
Description
This activity introduces students to the symmetries of 2-D repeating patterns and X-ray diffraction. Using small lasers and Optical Transform slides (available from the Institute for Chemical Education), students qualitatively and quantitatively investigate the relationships between the sizes and symmetries of unit cells and the effects observed in diffraction patterns.