Literature Discussion of Hexamminecobalt(III) – Probing Metal Ion Binding Sites in Nucleic Acids by NMR Spectroscopy

Submitted by EGunn / Simmons College on Tue, 12/09/2014 - 13:56
Description

I use this literature discussion in my second year inorganic class as a follow-up to a lab experiment where students synthesize Werner complexes and then (with much guidance) analyze their IR spectra using symmetry and group theory arguments. This paper provides an excellent example of how cobalt complexes are used in modern applications, and serves as a bridge to bioinorganic chemistry, which is a central feature later in the course.

Thinking about Mechanisms of Metal Ion Exchange

Submitted by Chris Goldsmith / Auburn University on Wed, 11/12/2014 - 12:03
Description

Over the past several years, I've been doing this in-class exercise shortly after discussing mechanisms of ligand exchange. The exercise expands on the lecture material by having the students think about metal ions, rather than ligands, exchanging from a coordination complex. The students are encouraged to work in groups of 3-5 and actively discuss the material amongst themselves before we go over it as a class. I do not provide the students with the article ahead of time, so that they may come up with their own conclusions, as opposed to simply repeating those of the authors.

Five Slides about Spectroelectrochemistry (SEC)

Submitted by Kyle Grice / DePaul University on Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:49
Description

This "Five slides about" is meant to introduce faculty and/or students to Spectroelectrochemistry (SEC), a technique that is used in inorganic chemistry research and other areas. SEC is a powerful tool to examine species that are normally hard to synthesize and isolate due to instability and high reactivity. Papers with examples of SEC techniques are provided on the last slide. 

 

Learning from UCLA

Submitted by Sheri Lense / University of Wisconsin Oshkosh on Sat, 09/20/2014 - 19:47
Description

This learning object is designed to spark discussion and educate students taking an inorganic chemistry course about laboratory safety.  It uses the article "Learning from UCLA" by Jyllian N. Kemsley (Chemical & Engineering News (2009), Vol. 87 Issue 31, pp.

Fe2GeS4 Nanocrystals for Photovoltaics

Submitted by Anne Bentley / Lewis & Clark College on Mon, 09/15/2014 - 14:00
Description

I asked the students in my junior/senior inorganic course to develop their own literature discussion learning objects and lead the rest of the class in a discussion of their article.  Student Johann Maradiaga chose this article describing the synthesis and characterization of Fe2GeS4 nanocrystals with potential applications in photovoltaic devices (Sarah J. Fredrick and Amy L. Prieto, “Solution Synthesis and Reactivity of Colloidal Fe2GeS4: A Potential Candidate for Earth Abundant, Nanostructured Photovoltaics” J. Am. Chem.

Maggie's LOs

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Fri, 09/12/2014 - 17:25

A Tale of Two Structures

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Tue, 08/12/2014 - 10:32
Description

In this activity, students will compare and contrast two closely related structures, [Pd(dcpf)PR3]2+ (dcpf = 1,1'-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ferrocene; R = Me or Ph). They will be required to obtain the cif files from the supporting information of a paper. They will then make a variety of measurments in the two stuctures. These measurements can be made using a variety of different freely available programs. Instructions are provided for Mercury 3.3 and Olex2. Finally, students will be required to provide a rationale for the differences in the two structures.

The Chemistry of Cooley's Anemia: A Case Study

Submitted by Chris Bailey / Wells College on Wed, 08/06/2014 - 11:36
Description

In this case study, information is presented to students in the form of a dialog between a physician and two parents who have just learned that their child has thalassemia (Cooley’s Anemia). The treatment for this disorder requires a lifetime commitment to whole blood transfusion and chelation therapy (both administered on a daily to weekly basis); the biggest obstacle to long term survival is patient non-compliance.

Nitrogen Fixation: A Structural Inorganic Mystery?

Submitted by Jodi O'Donnell / Siena College on Mon, 08/04/2014 - 16:17
Description

 

These slides describe the recent literature on the structure of the iron sulfur cluster of nitrogenase active site, FeMo-co.  Included are: a comparison of industrial vs. biological ammonia production, several crystal structures from the literature including the unknown until recently hypervalent carbon atom in the center, and a brief mention of the troubling sterics of the active site as crystallized.

Suite of LOs on Biomimetic Modeling

Submitted by Sheila Smith / University of Michigan- Dearborn on Mon, 08/04/2014 - 09:52

This suite of activities can be used as a unit exploring the use of small molecule models and biophysical techniques to illuminate complicated biomolecules.  The Parent LO:  Modeling the FeB center in bacterial Nitric Oxide reductase is a short, data-filled and well-written article that is approachable with an undergraduate's level of understanding.

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