Chemistry 416

CHEM 416
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

1. Catalog Entry

CHEM 416
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

Credit hours (4)
Prerequisites: CHEM 216

This course will explore advanced topics of Inorganic Chemistry.  Topics covered will include the synthesis of transition metal complexes and their applications in catalysis, materials, and other fields.
 
2. Detailed Description of Course

The topics covered in CHEM 416 lecture and practiced in the laboratory are those considered unchanging principles of inorganic chemistry that are applied to real-world scientific problems.  

The following topics will be covered:
    1) Historical perspectives of Werner transition metal complexes vs. organometallic complexes
    2) Transition metal clusters, metal-metal bonding, magnetic, and spectroscopic properties
    3) Homogeneous catalysis
    4) Heterogeneous catalysis
    5) Kinetics of inorganic chemical reactions
    6) Active materials: piezoelectric, thermoelectric, thermochromics, metallomesogens
    7) Main group clusters, macrocycles, and polymers
    8) Bioinorganic chemistry
    9) Solid state inorganic compounds: semiconductors, superconductors, solar cells
    10)The role of inorganic compounds in organic synthesis
    11)Spectroscopic and other characterization methods (e.g. NMR, FTIR, and magnetic susceptibility) used for inorganic compounds
    12)Synthesis and characterization of transition metal coordination compounds, main group compounds, and organometallic compounds
    13)Multistep synthesis in the fabrication of a solar cell or other advanced device
    14)Manipulation of materials using vacuum line and dry box techniques

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The course emphasizes the utilization of inorganic methods and techniques for solving real-world scientific problems.  Lecture periods will be used to introduce students to the theory and principles of advanced inorganic chemistry.  The content described above will be introduced and reinforced through practice problems and graded homework assignments.

Concepts introduced in lecture are then reinforced with real-world problems in the laboratory.  Methods and techniques commonly used in the chemical industry are practiced in the laboratory.  The laboratory notebook is maintained by each student and simulates the legal, complete and intelligible one kept by working chemists.  A professional atmosphere is maintained in the laboratory according to real-world standards.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

After successful completion of Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, the student will be able to:
    1) Demonstrate proficiency in applying the course topics.
    2) Conduct assigned experiments safely and use proper laboratory technique.
    3) Communicate chemical concepts clearly and accurately.
    4) Design, conduct, and interpret the results of laboratory investigations.
    5) Use modern instruments.

5. Assessment Measures

Assessment of the student’s success in the course is based on examinations, a cumulative final examination, maintenance of a laboratory notebook, as well as other assignments which may include quizzes, homework exercises, and papers.

6. Other Course Information

None.

Review and Approval

September 2001