Molecular Orbital Diagrams

Submitted by Adam Bridgeman / The University of Sydney on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 03:51
Description

http://firstyear.chem.usyd.edu.au/calculators/mo_diagrams.shtml

Flash based tools to help with the construction of MO diagrams:

  • "energy levels" shows how the form of the bonding and antibonding orbitals, the bond order and atomic charges vary in a diatomic molecule with the electronegativity of the two atoms involved
  • "Molecular orbital diagram maker" shows how a complex MO diagram can be made by a drag and drop approach using symmetry adapted components

 

Symmetry Resources at Otterbein University

Submitted by Dean Johnston / Otterbein University on Sat, 03/28/2009 - 23:42
Description

The resources contained within this web site are designed to help students learn concepts of molecular symmetry and to help faculty teach concepts of molecular symmetry.

d-orbitals in a variety of ligand geometries

Submitted by Flick Coleman / Wellesley College on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 20:54
Description

I developed this Jmol page to help my students see the relationship(s) between the ligands and metal d-orbitals in a number of different geometries.  Since the images are all rotatable, students who have difficulty looking at flat images and drawing appropriate conclusions have that barrier reduced or eliminated.  I have now used the application twice - this past fall in the second semester of introductory chemistry and a few weeks ago when I began ligand field theory in my inorganic course.  In both classes I received favorable comments.  A number of students in the inorganic course, who h

How molecular orbitals change as atomic energy levels shift

Submitted by Flick Coleman / Wellesley College on Wed, 03/11/2009 - 18:11
Description

Over the years I have developed a number of interactive tools that I use in my classes. This is a tool that seems appropriate for VIPEr. Comments are always appreciated, and I am always interested in developing new tools if there is something you might find useful.

This tool allows you to look at how molecular orbitals change as the difference in electronegativities of the parent atomic orbitals increases.

 

Interactive Spreadsheets for Inorganic Chemistry

Submitted by Lori Watson / Earlham College on Sun, 03/08/2009 - 15:28
Description

This web site contains a number of interactive spreadsheets, most of which are applicable to inorganic chemistry (or a physical chemistry class that uses inorganic examples).  Here's the list of the most relevant for most inorganic classes:

 

ABC kinetics - interactively plot concentration versus reaction extent for A, B and C in A -> B -> C by varying k values

Basics of Computational Chemistry

Submitted by Lori Watson / Earlham College on Sun, 03/08/2009 - 14:46
Description

I would use this VERY brief introduction to computational chemistry in my inorganic course to preface a computational based assignment.  While one learning goal for such an assignment might be familiarity with WebMO/Gaussian, understanding the background and theory of computational chemistry would generally be beyond the scope of the inorganic course.  However, I certainly want students to have some idea of what they are doing when they perform a calculation (optimization and frequency analysis of metal carbonyls, for example).  I've also included here handouts I use to explain how to use W

House: Inorganic Chemistry

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 15:35
Description

House (Inorganic chemistry):  The book is divided into 5 parts:  first, an introductory section on atomic structure, symmetry, and bonding; second, ionic bonding and solids; third, acids, bases and nonaqueous solvents; fourth, descriptive chemistry; and fifth, coordination chemistry.  The first three sections are short, 2-4 chapters each, while the descriptive section (five chapters) and coordination chemistry section (seven chapters covering ligand field theory, spectroscopy, synthesis and reaction chemistry, organometallics, and bioinorganic chemistry.) are longer.  Each chapter includes

Find the Mistake!

Submitted by Patrick Holland / Yale University on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 10:09
Description

This Challenge trains student to find inconsistencies in a molecular-orbital diagram. Inorganic Challenges are exercises designed to be solved by a small group of students. Some Challenges practice a problem-solving algorithm, some reinforce important concepts, and some involve creativity or games. You can pick and choose Challenges from our Web site to increase active learning in your classroom, and we ask that you contribute creative Challenges of your own to give a head start to teachers at other colleges and universities!

Battle of the Theories: Valence-Bond vs. Molecular-Orbital

Submitted by Patrick Holland / Yale University on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 10:04
Description

This Challenge practices both VB and MO models, and can be used to show the superiority of MO models for explaining simple molecules like O2 and CH4. It also demonstrates how scientists make rational choices between theories. Inorganic Challenges are exercises designed to be solved by a small group of students. Some Challenges practice a problem-solving algorithm, some reinforce important concepts, and some involve creativity or games.