27558 - Inorganic Chemistry and Laboratory

Learning outcomes

The course offers the fundamentals principles for understanding inorganic chemistry trough the descriptions of important and significant aspects of the structure and chemistry of inorganic compounds. Particular attention will be devoted to the chemistry of transition elements in their low, medium and high oxidation states. The objective of the course,  developed in  strictly connession with selected study questions and practical inorganic laboratorium experiments, is to furnish fundamentals knowledge to understand the relations between structures, chemical and spectroscopic properties of inorganic compounds.

Course contents

The periodic chart and the atomic properties of the elements. Symmetry and use of the point group symmetry. Bonding models in Inorganic Chemistry:  A) Ionic compounds B)covalent bond: valence bond and molecular orbital theory. The solid state: conductivity in ionic solids and in metals. The band theory. General properties of transition elements. The coordination chemistry: A) bonding, spectra and magnetism; B) Reactions, kinetics and mechanisms.  The coordination numbers: octahedral, tetrahedral and square planar complexes. The low oxidation states and the organometallic compouds. The high oxidation states:  oxides and halides. The organometallic chemistry: reactions of carbonyl and olefine complexes.  Catalysis by organometallic compounds.

The laboratorium and the safety rules. Acidity of the cations in chlorides and the basicity of oxo anions and oxides. Oxo anions of nitrogen and phosphorus. Polinuclear oxo anions: borates and silicates.  Sol-gel sinthesys of  SiO2. The chemistry and the reactions of the first transitions elements, from titanium to copper,  in their stable oxidation states.

Readings/Bibliography

CHIMICA INORGANICA - J.E. HUHEEY; E.A. KEITER; R.L. KEITER - Piccin
CHIMICA INORGANICA - P. ATKINS; T. OVERTON; J. ROURKE; M. WELLER; F. ARMSTRONG - Zanichelli.

COMPEDIO DI CHIMICA INORGANICA - L. MALATESTA - Ambrosiana

Teaching methods

All the topics are accompanied with exercises, problems (without solutions) and study questions. These are intended to facilitate review and extend comprehension of the arguments without putting excessive demands on the student.  The lab. experiences are designed  for deepening the students' understanding of inorganic chemistry and, for their nature, constitute an important training for the manipulation of inorganic substances under safety conditions.

Assessment methods

During the course, usually every month, written self-tests are given in order to evaluate the degree of preparation of each student. These are not compulsory but strongly recommended in order to facilitate the final oral examination which furnish the credit associated to the course.

Teaching tools

Blackboard, overhead projector and proiector.

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Bordoni

See the website of Luigi Busetto

See the website of Luigi Busetto