Isotopic labeling and reduced mass calculations for IR spectroscopy

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Sun, 03/27/2016 - 21:32
Description

I used this as an in class activity but it may work better as a problem set for your class. I had the students read the pertinent chapters of the textbook which go through symmetry and molecular vibrations, including using both stretches and cartesian axes as bases. In class, I divided the students up into four groups. Each group did one of the problems for 30 minutes and during the last 20 minutes of class, they reported out their solution. The students had not seen the Hooke’s law in the textbook so I included it as part of the activity.

Working with Catalytic Cycles

Submitted by Matt Whited / Carleton College on Mon, 09/28/2015 - 14:05
Description

Students work in groups to identify relevant steps and intermediates in 3 catalytic cycles, all the while considering bonding (and electron counting) factors.  Following assignment of these steps and intermediate species, the students consider several questions related to catalysis more broadly, particularly the role of each reagent, how to speed up or slow down specific steps, and the importance of regiospecificity in certain steps.

Iron Cross-Coupling Catalysis

Submitted by Laurel Goj Habgood / Rollins College on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 13:08
Description

In this experiment, students will synthesize and characterize an iron complex followed by completion of two series of catalytic cross-coupling reactions mimicking the methodology utilized by organometallic chemists to balance catalyst efficacy and substrate scope.  Initially the complex Fe(acac)3 [acac =  acetylacetone] is prepared.  Two sets of catalytic reactions are completed: one comparing different iron catalysts (Fe(acac)3, FeCl2, FeCl3) while the other compares substrates (4-chlorotoluene, 4-chlorobenzonitrile, 4-chlorotrifluorotoluene).

Antibacterial Reactivity of Ag(I) Cyanoximate Complexes

Submitted by Kari Young / Centre College on Sat, 08/22/2015 - 14:09
Description

In this experiment, students will synthesize and characterize one of three Ag(I) cyanoximate complexes as potential antimicrobial agents for use in dental implants. This experiment combines simple ligand synthesis, metalation and characterization, and a biomedical application. The complexes are both air and light stable.

Ir(III) Catalyst Regeneration Using Molecular Oxygen: Addressing Key Challenges that Hinder Alkane Dehydrogenation Catalysis. A Literature Discussion

Submitted by Vanessa / Albion College on Thu, 07/02/2015 - 15:56
Description

This Learning Object involves reading a recent scientific journal article, answering questions relating to the content, and participating in a classroom discussion. The paper under review is “Regeneration of an Iridium (III) Complex Active for Alkane Dehydrogenation Using Molecular Oxygen,” Organometallics, 33, 1337-1340. DOI: /10.1021/om401241e).

A discussion on "Electrochemical formation of a surface-adsorbed hydrogen-evolving species"

Submitted by Kevin Hoke / Berry College on Thu, 07/02/2015 - 14:22
Description
The paper entitled “Electrochemical hydrogenation of a homogeneous nickel complex to form a surface adsorbed hydrogen-evolving species” explores the discovery, characterization and catalytic activity of a film that deposited on the electrode while studying a nickel complex under electrocatalytic conditions.
 
This literature discussion includes several sets of questions that address different aspects of the paper, as described in the implementation notes.

Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Course Videos

Submitted by Kathryn Haas / Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN on Wed, 07/01/2015 - 12:02
Description

At this website, you will find a link to the syllabus and all lecture videos for a "flipped" version of an Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Course taught at Saint Mary's College (Notre Dame, IN).  I used Shiver & Atkins for this course, and the format is based off of Dr. Franz's course at Duke.  If anyone is interested in the problem sets, I will be happy to share, although much of the material I used is from VIPEr.  

Photoredox Dual Catalysis for Decarboxylative Cross Coupling Reaction

Submitted by Keying Ding / Middle Tennessee State University on Mon, 06/29/2015 - 14:53
Description

In this literature discussion, students are asked to read an article describing a type of dual catalytic system in which the synergistic combination of photoredox catalysis and nickel catalysis provides a general method that would exploit naturally abundant, inexpensive organic molecules as coupling partners. This paper addresses several green chemistry principles and serves as a great literature example for teaching organometallic chemistry or green chemistry course. 

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