Introduces students to a broad overview of modern inorganic chemistry. Included are considerations of molecular symmetry and group theory, bonding and molecular orbital theory, structures and reactivities of coordination compounds, organometallic chemistry, catalysis and transition metal clusters. Laboratory experiences will include the measurement of several important features of coordination compounds, such as their electronic spectra and paramagnetism, as well as the synthesis and characterization of organometallic compounds.

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.

This course is designed to give an introduction to the concepts of electronic structure, bonding,

and reactivity in inorganic chemistry. The field is too vast to comprehensively cover every aspect in

a single semester, so this class will offer a qualitative overview of inorganic chemistry. Reading and

understanding scientific literature is an important skill for any scientist to have, whether you move

on to grad school, professional school, or the job market, so relevant literature articles will be

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.