In this experiment, students will synthesize a cobalt Schiff base complex with varying axial ligands ([Co(acacen)L2]+). They will characterize the complex using various techniques, and may perform computational modeling to predict spectroscopic properties.
This is a literature discussion based on the paper “Spectroscopic Elucidation of the Inhibitory Mechanism of Cys2
This activity is designed to give students a deeper understanding of what post-translational modification does in a metalloenzyme using nitrile hydratase (NHase) as a model system. The metallo-active site of NHase contains a cobalt(III) center that is bound to an unusual coodination sphere containing bis-amidate, cysteinate, sulfenate (RSO-), and sulfinate (RSO2-) ligands.
Students are asked to read an article detailing the development of a cobalt-based MRI contrast agent ("A Redox-Activated MRI Contrast Agent that Switches Between Paramagnetic and Diamagnetic States", Tsitovich, P. B.; Spernyak, J. A.; Morrow, J. R. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 14247-14250, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201306394). Before coming to class the students are asked to answer a series of questions designed to guide them through the first half of the article, and to be prepared to discuss their answers in class.
The Diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii is very resilient. It thrives in poor quality water, where high CO2 levels, chlorine and cadmium ion concentrations, and pH are observed. How is it possible for cadmium ions to be a nutrient for this diatom, when it is normally seen as a toxin in biological systems?
This LO introduces students to bioinorganic chemistry using the enzyme carbonic anhydrase to illustrate biodiversity, adaptation, HASB theory, metal ion ligand bonding as represented by the PDB using Ligand Explorer, and more.
31-P NMR spectrum of alpha-dodecatungstophosphoric acid is a combination of thirteen spectra, each spectrum representing the compound with a different number of 183W isotopes per molecule. In order to fully interpret the spectrum one needs to apply binomial distribution to calculate the mole fractions of the molecules with various numbers of 183W isotopes.
This LO requires an understanding of the satellites concept in NMR spectroscopy, originating from coupling with nuclei whose NMR active isotopes are not 100% abundant.
This experiment involves the preparation of a key starting reactant in high purity and yield for an ongoing research project, specifically for the development of potential photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents. The students synthesize [ReO2(py)4]Cl.2H2O using standard inorganic synthesis techniques. The students visualize the vibrations and electronic properties (e.g. molecular orbitals) of the compound using output files generated from density functional theory (DFT).
This is the second part of a two-day class discussion on molecular and inorganic spectroscopy. In this activity, upper level students learn about spectroscopic tecniques used in inorganic chemistry and then devise an experiment to follow the progress of a hypothetical reaction. The activity also prepares students for the inorganic laboratory "Linkage isomerism of nitrogen dioxide" in which infrared spectroscopy is used to monitor changes to the N-O vibrational stretch upon coordination to a metal.
This learning object focuses on a recent publication (Acta Crystallographia 2014, C70, 260 -266) by the Collins research group in the Department of Chemistry at The College of Wooster. Specifically, the paper evaluates the coordination diversity of a N-donor ligand, 2-phenyl-1,10-phenanthroline(pnp) with three new pnp-metal complexes containing Au(III), Cu(II), and Pd(II) metal centers.
Nicolai Lehnert's group recently shared this video they made for the Penn State Bioinorganic Workshops on Youtube. This is a great practical demonstration of how MCD data is actually collected.