reaction of PPh3 with elements--the COVID edition

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Sun, 02/28/2021 - 15:37
Description

This is a research-like laboratory experience based on the one posted by Brad Wile (linked below). My students are mostly juniors and have had 2 semesters of organic. This spring they are taking the inorganic laboratory virtually, so I wanted to give them a more exploratory lab experience. Their job will be to watch the YouTube videos to see the synthesis and isolated products, and then propose characterization methods they want to employ to identify both the identity and purity of the compounds. 

N-stabilized carbenes and applications in the literature

Submitted by Brad Wile / Ohio Northern University on Mon, 09/07/2020 - 20:51
Description

This literature discussion was based on a short, readable piece from the trade magazine Chemical and Engineering News. Since this was written in a more general tone, it served as a reasonable introduction to carbenes for students in my advanced inorganic class. I have been looking to expand the examples of carbenes presented to students beyond those in the text. Simple examples of Fischer, Schrock, and N-heterocyclic carbenes are plentiful, but modern applications haven't been featured in the text that I use.

s-p Mixing and the Order of MOs in Diatomic Molecules

Submitted by Michelle Personick / Wesleyan University on Fri, 06/05/2020 - 20:13
Description

These slides provide an introduction to s-p mixing in diatomic molecular orbital diagrams appropriate for students in a general chemistry course. 

MO diagram for square planar methane guided inquiry

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Tue, 05/19/2020 - 18:16
Description

This guided inquiry activity takes students through the process of constructing an MO diagram for square planar methane. LGOs are constructed using a graphical approach. Students are guided through a process that allows them to use their MO diagram to make a claim about chemical properties.

MO diagram for water guided inquiry

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Tue, 05/19/2020 - 16:59
Description

This guided inquiry activity takes the students through the whole process of constructing an MO diagram for water in detail. The LGOs are constructed using my graphical approach (linked below) and hybrid orbital formation is discussed. Along the way, students are given hints on what to think about when constructing an MO diagram.

Inorganic Active Learning Lesson Plan Design

Submitted by Meghan Porter / Indiana University on Fri, 05/15/2020 - 09:05
Description

I created this activity as a way to get the class involved in creating new, fun ways to teach course concepts (selfishly- that part is for me) and for students to review concepts prior to the final exam (for them).  Students use a template to create a 15-20 min activity that can be used in groups during class to teach a concept we have learned during the semester.  We then randomly assign the activities and students work in groups to complete them and provide feedback.

The benefits are twofold:

Ionic Liquids in Action

Submitted by Brad Wile / Ohio Northern University on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 11:46
Description

This was a short LO developed to give the students some context for ionic liquids in use. Since this paper is from a chemical engineering perspective, it supported a goal of having the students think about chemistry outside of the typical inorganic journal/research boundaries. This LO was implemented after a discussion of HSAB/ECW, frustrated Lewis pairs, non-aqueous media, and superacids. No explicit discussion of catalysis prior to this class discussion. 

Applications of Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLPs)

Submitted by Brad Wile / Ohio Northern University on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 11:22
Description

Short prompts for a mini review about recent applications in FLP chemistry. Trends in Chemistry also includes highlights and outstanding questions in the sidebar, which makes this an approachable review for students. 

ChemCrafter

Submitted by Michelle Personick / Wesleyan University on Mon, 03/02/2020 - 16:24
Description

ChemCrafter, from the Science History Institute (formerly the Chemical Heritage Foundation), is a free iPad app that mimics a classic chemistry set. It is set up as a game, with three sections: reactions with water, reactions with acid, and salts. The app shows the progress of the reaction (smoke, color change, etc.) when two elements are mixed in a reaction vessel, and also gives the change in enthalpy of the reaction.

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