This course introduces the chemistry of transition metals and main group elements. Topics include theories of bonding, kinetics and mechanisms of reactions of transition metal complexes, oxidation-reduction reactions, hard-soft acid-base theory, and solid-state chemistry. Applications of inorganic chemistry to other areas (organic, analytical, and physical chemistry, as well as biology and biochemistry) are highlighted throughout the course. The laboratory portion of the course involves the synthesis and spectroscopic investigation of inorganic complexes.

Catalog Description:  Concepts and models in inorganic chemistry with emphasis on atomic structure and bonding, molecular orbital theory, material science, and descriptive inorganic chemistry including biological and environmental applications.

This course is composed of two components:

A. Lecture:

This course is an introduction to the field of inorganic chemistry.  The student is expected to be well-versed in the material covered in general chemistry, as this will serve as the foundation and launching point for the material to be covered this semester. The course will begin by examining the properties of the elements, and expand outward to consider chemical bonding and the electronic factors that govern metal reactivity.  These factors include acid-base theory, thermodynamics, electrochemistry and redox, and coordination chemistry.

A study of the chemistry of inorganic compounds, including the principles of covalent and ionic bonding, symmetry, periodic properties, metallic bonding, acid-base theories, coordination chemistry, inorganic reaction mechanisms, and selected topics in descriptive inorganic chemistry. Laboratory work is required.

The class is divided into two parts. In the first part students learn the physical principles involved with the absorption of light and the photophysical and photochemical processes that may occur aafter the abosrption of light. The second part uses literature discussions and student presentations to explore applications of photophysical and photochemical reactions in inorganic chemistry 

The application of physio-chemical principles to understanding structure and reactivity in main group and transition elements. Valence Bond, Crystal Field, VSEPR, and LCAO-MO will be applied to describe the bonding in coordination compounds. Organometallic and bio-inorganic chemistry will be treated, as will boranes, cluster and ring systems, and inorganic polymers. The laboratory will involve both synthetic and analytic techniques and interpretation of results.