Constructing MO diagrams

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 14:11
Description

I use this in-class exercise after I have taught the students how to construct LGOs using the generator orbital technique.  The previous week, they do an in-class exercise on that topic, and this week, they use the LGOs from the previous week to construct MO diagrams.

The Extremely Explosive Carbonyl Diazide Molecule

Submitted by Maggie Geselbracht / Reed College on Sat, 03/19/2011 - 17:03
Description

This Lewis structure and VSEPR problem is based on a paper from Inorganic Chemistry in 2010 reporting the crystal structure of the carbonyl diazide molecule.  This relatively simple molecule provides an interesting application of the predictive powers of Lewis structures and VSEPR theory to molecular structure, backed up by experimental data on bond distances and bond angles.  Before tackling carbonyl diazide, the students warm up by considering the structures of hydrogen azide and the isolated azide ion.  The reference to the original paper is

Computational Inorganic Chemistry: An Introduction

Submitted by Rebecca M. Jones / George Mason University on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 16:00
Description

The attached lecture provides a brief overview to computational methods and introduces their application to inorganic systems.  Two specific literature examples are included.  I have given this lecture in a senior level advanced inorganic chemistry class for the past 3 years.

Ligand Field Theory in Coordination Complexes- In Class Exercise

Submitted by Sheila Smith / University of Michigan- Dearborn on Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:19
Description

This is an In class exercise on the subject of Ligand Field theory.  It reviews nomenclature and introduces ideas of ligand field splitting and spin in transition metal complexes.  It includes both a worksheet for classroom use, a worksheet key which includes some information not on the student worksheet .

Molecular Origami: Precision Scale Models from Paper, by Robert M. Hanson

Submitted by Randall Hicks / Reed College on Tue, 06/29/2010 - 11:54
Description

This book called to me given my fascination with both origami and molecular model kits. While not a textbook in the true sense, the content of the book is pertinent to topics of molecular structure and symmetry and is therefore potentially valuable in both general and inorganic chemistry courses. In addition to the plans for constructing all the models (~125), there is a small amount of background information. Granted, many of these models could more easily be made using traditional model kits, but I had fun building them from paper.

Exploring Molecular Orbitals With Spartan

Submitted by Maggie Geselbracht / Reed College on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 21:24
Description

Molecular models and selected molecular orbital surfaces and slices were calculated with Spartan for HF, LiH, CO2, XeF2, and BF3, and the results were used by students in an in-class activity (covering several class sessions) to answer a series of questions.

Interactive Lewis Structures

Submitted by Adam Bridgeman / The University of Sydney on Wed, 01/20/2010 - 21:51
Description

http://firstyear.chem.usyd.edu.au/iChem/lewis.shtml

A set of Flash-based, interactive tools for students to construct Lewis structures for electron deficient, octet rule obeying and hypervalent MLx molecules and ions (x = 2 - 6).

The user chooses the number of electrons and bond type (single, double or triple) and is steered towards the correct stucture.

For cases where resonance structures are possible, the user must construct each form to complete the puzzle.

In-Class Review of Symmetry Operations and Point Groups

Submitted by Maggie Geselbracht / Reed College on Wed, 08/19/2009 - 14:50
Description

This in-class activity was used on the first day of Advanced Inorganic Chemistry in lieu of lecture to review symmetry operations and point groups in small molecules.  The learning object was adapted to a small group discussion format from a fundamental quiz posted by Barbara Reisner (James Madison University) and a problem set question posted by Adam Johnson (Harvey Mudd College).

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