Molecular Magnets with Lanthanide Metal-Metal Bonding
Description

This literature discussion is based on a 2022 Science paper describing a series of dilanthanide complexes with exceptional magnetic properties due to the presence of metal-metal bonding. These molecules are the first reported species to feature direct bonding between two lanthanides! The paper contains ample material for discussion of molecular symmetry and bonding, oxidation states and electron configurations, and magnetism. The handout includes a description, glossary, discussion questions, and pre-class worksheet.

A. M. Christianson / Bellarmine University Wed, 08/24/2022 - 11:36
Inorganic Chemistry Abdul K. Mohammed / North Carolina Central University Tue, 08/23/2022 - 16:51

Hydrogenative Depolymerization of Nylons

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 13:46
Description

This paper describes work from the Milstein group in which ruthenium catalysts with pincer ligands are used to depolymerize nylons by breaking the C-N bond and hydrogenating the resulting products to amines and alcohols. Waste plastic is a serious environmental concern that needs a solution. Organometallic chemists put significant effort into finding ways to convert monomers into polymers, and now we must figure out ways to do the reverse.

RSC Transition Metal Games

Submitted by Amanda Reig / Ursinus College on Wed, 08/10/2022 - 14:48
Description

RSC has a series of chemistry games that can be downloaded from their website. The link here is specifically for games related to transition metals. There are three games (a Jeopardy! style game, a Password-style game and a Taboo-style game).  The game formats could easily be adapted to other content. You may need to sign up for a free instructor account to access the resources.

Fluorine Azide and Fluorine Nitrate: Structure and Bonding

Submitted by Shirley Lin / United States Naval Academy on Mon, 08/08/2022 - 14:23
Description

This literature discussion was written for a foundation-level inorganic chemistry course to accompany the material on Lewis structures. It utilizes a communication-length article on fluorine azide and fluorine nitrate. The assignment is divided into two parts: a set of questions for students to answer BEFORE they read the communication and then a set of questions that they answer after reading the article.

1 Slide: building better presentations

Submitted by James F. Dunne / Central College on Wed, 07/20/2022 - 14:54
Description

The activity is designed to give students practice and formative feedback in building and delivering professional presentations. After discussing a literature paper in class, students create one slide presenting a major point or idea from the paper.  Students then present their slide briefly (5 min), and the entire class critiques the slide and presentation with two guiding questions: What was done well?  What could have been better?