This course will emphasize the fundamental concepts needed to understand the diverse chemistry of all the elements of the periodic table. The common theme for the entire course will be Structure and Bonding. The primary focus will be inorganic molecules, ions and solids, but the concepts we will discuss are applicable to all aspects of chemistry. The first two-thirds of the course will cover theories of bonding in molecules and solids along with some background in symmetry and structure.

Inorganic chemistry interfaces and overlaps with the other areas of chemistry. Inorganic chemists  synthesize molecules of academic and commercial interest, measure properties such as magnetism and unpaired electron spin with sophisticated instruments, study metal ion uptake in living cells, and prepare new materials like photovoltaics. Inorganic chemistry is a diverse field, and we will only be able to touch on some of the chemistry of the 118 elements that currently reside in the periodic table.

Foundations: Atomic Structure; Molecular Structure; the Structures of Solids; Group Theory

The Elements and their Compounds: Main Group elements; d-Block Elements; f-Block Elements

Physical Techniques in Inorganic Chemistry: Diffraction Methods; Other Methods

Frontiers: Defects and Ion Transport; Metal Oxides, Nitrides and Fluorides; Chalcogenides, Intercalation Compounds and Metal-rich Phases; Framework Structures; Hydrides and Hydrogen-storage Materials; Semiconductor Chemistry; Molecular Materials and Fullerides.

An introduction to the chemistry of inorganic compounds and materials. Descriptive chemistry of the elements. A survey of Crystal Field Theory, band theory, and various acid-base theories. Use of the chemical and scientific literature. Introduction to the seminar concept. 

Modern theories of bonding and structure, spectroscopy, redox chemistry, and reaction mechanisms. Coordination compounds, organometallic clusters, and catalysis.

Fundamental topics in inorganic chemistry will be explored, among them: atomic theory and periodicity of the elements, bonding and properties of solid state materials, main group chemistry, structure and bonding of coordination compounds, and bio-inorganic systems. The laboratory component of the course will give students experience with a various laboratory techniques used in the synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds.