Hard-Soft Acid-Base Theory in Action: A New Ion-Exchange Material for Sequestering Heavy Metals

Submitted by Maggie Geselbracht / Reed College on Sun, 06/26/2011 - 00:30
Description

This paper from Chemistry: A European Journal by Manolis Manos and Mercouri Kanatzidis (link provided below in Web Resources) describes the ion-exchange chemistry of a layered sulfide (KMS-1) that exhibits an enhanced preference for soft metal cations (Cd2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+) replacing K+ in between the metal sulfide layers of KMS-1.  Not only does this paper provide a practical application of hard-soft acid-base theory (HSAB), but it provides an accessible introduction to the technical literature for undergraduates, par

Understanding phase diagrams of solid state alloys: Application to archeological studies

Submitted by Lee Park / Williams College on Sat, 06/25/2011 - 13:43
Description
This paper from the Journal of Archeological Science describes the analysis of silver-copper artifacts found in Machu Picchu.  The archeological samples were compared to various control samples prepared from different compositions and under varying processing (thermal treatment) conditions.  Using analytical methods (mechanical hardness testing, micrographic analysis of microstructure and morphology, elemental analysis), researchers were able to offer hypotheses concerning the source materials and fabrication methods used by Inca artisans.

Geometry and Magnetism Worksheet_ Bioinorganic

Submitted by Sheila Smith / University of Michigan- Dearborn on Thu, 06/23/2011 - 14:55
Description

This is an in class exercise that I use to introduce structure and magnetism to a junior/senior level course on bioinorganic chemistry. The class is cross-listed between Chemistry and Biochemistry. All of the students have had general chemistry and organic (with some exposure to MO Theory). Many of the students have also had the sophomore-level inorganic course, which delves extensively into MO theory, and some of the the students have also had the senior-level course on transition metal chemistry which looks deeply at d-orbital splitting.

Catalysis using functionalized mesoporous silica

Submitted by Randall Hicks / Wheaton College on Wed, 05/25/2011 - 10:30
Description

This paper, while not fundamentally groundbreaking, serves as a nice introduction to the field of mesoporous materials. I like that it covers synthesis, characterization, and an application of the materials. I have used this paper in our senior seminar course as the basis for discussion of this area of chemistry. Discussion questions cover aspects of sol-gel chemistry, powder diffraction, gas adsorption, IR, solid state NMR, UV-Vis, and catalysis.  

Teaching Tanabe-Sugano Diagrams

Submitted by Sheila Smith / University of Michigan- Dearborn on Tue, 05/03/2011 - 11:12
Description

For years, I spent 2-3 days a semester working through Tanabe-Sugano diagrams, their development from terms, their evolution from Orgel diagrams, their analysis to give transition energies (the old ruler- trial and error analysis) and nephalauxetic parameters.  Recently, colleagues in VIPEr convinced me that my time in class could be better spent, but I am not willing to completely give up on Tanabe-Sugano.

19F NMR In-class exercise

Submitted by Sheila Smith / University of Michigan- Dearborn on Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:27
Description

This is an in class activity to introduce the topic of multinuclear NMR, which is not covered (beyond 13C) in our sophomore level organic course. It is designed to walk the students through the process of predicting NMR spectra, as they learned in sophomore organic chemistry, but for a different I=1/2 nucleus, in this case 19F, which is I=1/2 and 100% abundant. 

 

Spectroscopy Tutorial

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 23:28
Description

I just found this neat little web-based tutorial at the University of Alberta.  It goes through UV-Vis, IR and NMR.  Its coverage of IR is almost exactly what I expect my students to know.  In typical "stretch and release" fashion, I teach more, but if my students could do the practice problems on the website, I'd be happy.

The site was put together by Greg Nilsson, Enrico Fok, June Ng and Jason Cooke of the Department of Chemistry.

There are also has some great problems for multinuclear NMR.

The site has a tutorial, practice problems, and live feedback.  Way cool!

news article on lanthanide magnets

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Fri, 03/11/2011 - 11:40
Description
I found this interesting article on the many uses of lanthanide magnets.  Thought I'd share!

Exploring Photographic Chemistry

Submitted by Rebecca M. Jones / George Mason University on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 15:27
Description
This set of experiments is a fun way for students to be experience interesting redox chemistry.  I have taught this series of experiments in my first semester junior level inorganic class for the past 5 years.  In part 1, students create salted paper prints with different binders.  Part 2 involves the synthesis of Prussian blue as cyanotypes are formed on paper and cloth.  In part 3, students design t

Pigment Syntheses and Qualitative Analysis

Submitted by Rebecca M. Jones / George Mason University on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 15:13
Description

This set of experiments provides an introduction to simple inorganic synthesis and qualitative analysis of inorganic pigments.  I have taught this series of experiments in my first semester junior level inorganic class for the past 5 years.  In part 1, students synthesize five inorganic pigments.  Part 2 involves identifying an unknown inorganic white pigment by chemical and physical tests.  These

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