This in-class activity traces the many contributions leading to the correct assignment for the solid-state structure of triiron dodecacarbonyl, [Fe₃(CO)₁₂],  with the aim of reinforcing ideas about IR spectroscopy and group theory. I give this activity to my advanced inorganic chemistry class (graduate students and senior undergrads). The activity is loosely based on the paper: Desiderato, R., Jr.; Dobson, G. R. J. Chem. Educ. 1982, 59, 752-756 and incorporates questions about symmetry and group theory for metal carbonyls.

Students work individually, then compete in teams, to identify symmetry elements and operations present in a high-symmetry structure, such as an octahedron or tetrahedron (without showing the character table until the end of the activity).  Students often  visualize symmetry elements differently from one another.  Creating teams, allows them to work collaboratively, and the competition adds an incentive for finding the most elements.  Since some students are better at seeing some symmetry elements (and operations) than others, it allows for them to work in small groups to both teach and lea

Covers the geometries and symmetries of the seven crystal systems in an inquiry-based manner. 2-D paper templates are provided, which the students cut out, fold, and tape together to create 3-D representations of the seven crystal systems: triclinic, monoclinic, orthorhombic, tetragonal, rhombohedral, hexagonal, and cubic. The students can then use these to determine the geometries and symmetries of the systems for themselves.

All chemistry is learned best by "doing," and I believe this is especially true for determining molecular symmetry.  This activity was designed to end a three-part lecture/activity on symmetry and point groups for my advanced inorganic class.  I call this unit on symmetry a lecture/activity series because it was designed to be student-guided learning and requires the students to teach each other how to determine a molecular point group.  I only gave one formal lecture on symmetry and point groups, which was followed by the symmetry scavenger hunt activity LO.  Finally this assignment was do

The original description of the synthesis of [RuH(NO₃)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ appears in Inorg. Chem. (Critchlow, P. B.; Robinson, S. D. Inorg. Chem. 1978, 17, 1896). There are eight possible structures for this octahedral isomer (including two sets of enantiomers). Students are shown one of the structures and asked to draw the remaining seven. The authors analyze the spectroscopic data obtained for the compound in order to determine which isomer formed. Unfortunately, there was an error in the analysis.