27558 - Inorganic Chemistry and Laboratory

Learning outcomes

The course aims at consolidating the concepts of atomic structure, periodic properties and deepen the knowledge of chemical bonds of all types (covalent, metallic, ionic) within inorganic compounds.

Numerical problems and exercises, along with laboratory practice will be used to apply the theoretical knowledge on the nature and characteristics of coordination compounds, on their properties and applications. The experimental work will be primarily focused on learning the main preparative techniques of coordination metals derivatives, linking the reactivity with the oxidation state of the metal and to understand their spectroscopic properties.

Course contents

The periodic table and the atomic properties of the elements. Valence Bond (VB) theory and VSEPR theory. Molecular geometry. Symmetry.

Structure and bonding in metals: metals and alloys, introduction to band theory, electrical conductivity, insulators, intrinsic semiconductors and band gaps, semiconductors.

Structure and bonding in ionic solids: lattice energy, the Born–Landé model and the Born–Haber cycle. Lattice enthalpy and solubility. Defects in ionic solids. Covalent character and Fajans' rules.

Structure and bonding in covalent compounds: Molecular Orbital (MO) theory. Orbital overlap and linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO). Homonuclear and heteronuclear diatomic molecules. Polyatomic molecules (Ligand Group Orbital, LGO, approach).

General properties of transition metals. Properties of transition metals in the zero oxidation state. Intermediate oxidation states and coordination compounds. Structure and properties of coordination compounds: Crystal Field Theory (CFT) and Ligand Field Theory (LFT) for octahedral and tetrahedral complexes. Distortions and the Jahn–Teller effect. Influence of ligand properties on electronic spectra, magnetism, and isomerism. The chelate effect. Reactions, kinetics, and mechanisms of octahedral and square-planar complexes. Organometallic compounds: the 18-electron rule and an introduction to metal carbonyl complexes.

The course also includes laboratory activities designed to consolidate the theoretical concepts presented during the lectures and to deepen students' understanding of the fundamental chemical properties of the elements. The laboratory sessions also provide practical experience in the synthesis of inorganic and coordination compounds.

Readings/Bibliography

Atkins, Overton, Rourke, Weller & Armstrong, Inorganic Chemistry, Zanichelli.

Huheey, Keiter & Keiter, Inorganic Chemistry, Piccin.

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures, classroom problem-solving sessions, and laboratory activities.

Classroom exercises focus on topics covered during lectures to facilitate learning through practical application. Laboratory sessions are an essential component of the course, providing hands-on experience in the safe handling and manipulation of inorganic substances.

All teaching materials, including practice exercises and sample examination problems, are made available through the University's “Virtuale” online learning platform.

Attendance at laboratory sessions is mandatory.

Students are required to record all laboratory experiments in their personal laboratory notebook, and the experimental results are discussed during class.

Because of the nature of the teaching activities, all students are required to complete Modules 1 and 2 of the University's online Health and Safety training (e-learning) available at:

https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio

Students must also attend Module 3, which provides discipline-specific training on health and safety in teaching laboratories. Information regarding dates and attendance procedures is available on the degree programme website.

Assessment methods

Student learning is assessed through a final examination consisting of both a written and an oral component.

The written examination includes problem-solving exercises and open-ended questions. A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass. Practice exercises and sample problems similar in format to the examination are available on the Virtuale platform.

Students may take the oral examination only after successfully passing the written examination. The oral examination evaluates the student's ability to relate the composition and structural formulas of inorganic compounds to their chemical and physical properties.

The final course grade is obtained by averaging the written and oral examination scores.

The final grade is based on both the lecture component (70%) and the laboratory component (30%).

The written final examination may alternatively be replaced by two mid-term examinations, consisting of problems, exercises, and open-ended questions. The first mid-term is held approximately halfway through the course, and the second at the end of the course. The average of the two mid-term grades constitutes the final written examination mark.

Registration for all examinations is mandatory through the University's AlmaEsami online system and must be completed within the published deadlines.

Attendance of at least 75% of the laboratory sessions is required to be eligible for the final examination.

Teaching tools

Lectures are delivered using both the whiteboard and PowerPoint presentations. All teaching materials are made available to students through the “Virtuale” online learning platform.

Laboratory activities take place in the teaching laboratories. Each student is assigned an individual laboratory workstation (chemical bench) together with a personal set of laboratory equipment and glassware, which is used to carry out the experimental work.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Corrà

See the website of Stefano Stagni