KE525: Inorganic chemistry A (5 ECTS)

STADS: 10011901

Level
Bachelor course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.

Teacher responsible
Email: mckenzie@sdu.dk

Timetable
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Comment:
Uge 40 og 41 er afsat til laboratorieøvelser.

Prerequisites:
None.

Academic preconditions:
Students taking the course are expected to:

• Have a basic knowledge of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry, the structures of simple (bio)organic molecules, the formulations of simple metal salts, pH and some of the techniques used to carry out structure determination
• Have elementary laboratory experience and knowledge of safety in a chemical laboratory

Course introduction
The aim of the course is to enable students to understand and predict the typical structures, properties and reactivity of compounds containing the d-block (transition) metallic elements. This knowledge is important for rationalizing the extensive roles of these particular elements in catalysis, enzymes and materials, as well as understanding their geochemistry, bioavailability, and functions as essential or toxic elements for life.

The purpose of the course is a systematic presentation of d-block (transition metal) chemistry. It is the basis for continuing courses in inorganic chemistry, materials design and characterisation, and bioinorganic chemistry.

The course provides background for students interested in materials and nanomaterials chemistry, medicinal inorganic chemistry, catalysis, structural chemistry and chemical engineering (processing and environment).

The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the first year courses FF503, , KE528/KE521 or the equivalent containing general, organic and inorganic chemistry and second year course KE504 or equivalent basic spectroscopy course. The students should be in the third year of their education in chemistry, nanobioscience, pharmacy or chemical engineering. The course gives an academic basis for studying the topics that are part of the ongoing graduate and post graduate studies e.g. organic, physical and theoretical chemistry, biochemistry, spectroscopy or technical chemistry.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:

• Give the competence to predict the chemical behaviour of d-block (transition) metal ions and the properties of their compounds
• Give skills to plan and carry out the synthesis and subsequent characterisation of simple metal-containing compounds
• Give knowledge and understanding of the roles of the d-block elements in several contexts (history, art, materials, analytical chemistry, medicine, biology, energy production, industrial chemical production).

Expected learning outcome
The learning objective is that students acquire foundation knowledge of the chemistry of all the elements in the periodic table. However the focus is on the molecular chemistry of the d-block (transition) elements, and gaining an understanding the chemical forms of these elements in natural and synthetic compounds and their common uses. Structure, reactivity, nomenclature, physical, chemical and spectroscopic properties are covered. On completion, students will be able to:

• Rationalize the electronic structure of an element on the basis of its position in the periodic table
• Predict the properties of a compound in terms of its ionic, metallic and covalent bonding
• Predict the geometry of a metal centre and consequent molecular stereochemistry
• Rationalize influence of both metal and ligand on the tendencies in redox and spectroscopic properties
• Use crystal field theory as a simplified practical model for molecular orbital theory to predict d electron configuration and thus rationalize spectroscopic, magnetic and structural properties for d-block compounds.
• Describe basic principles in the use of optical, vibrational and magnetic resonance spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility measurements and other selected methods for the characterization of molecular compounds containing any element of the periodic system
• Name and write the molecular formula for simple coordination compounds
• Be familiar with the important molecular inorganic compounds, including homogenous catalysts, metalloenzymes, nanoclusters, supramolecular systems, and be able to rationalize their roles in biology, and uses in materials, industry, medicine etc.
• Describe the aqueous chemistry of metal ions and therewith the consequence for bioavailability and pollution.
• Write mass and redox balanced equations
• Carry out the synthesis of a simple coordination compound
• Describe typical processes in the synthesis of coordination and organometallic compounds
• Interpret spectra

Subject overview
The following main topics concerning simple prototype coordination (including organometallic) compounds are contained in the course: 

• Stereochemistry and metal geometry
• Coordination number
• Isomery
• Oxidation state stability and trends
• Color
• Photochemistry
• Supramolecular chemistry
• Metal-ligand σ- and π-bonding
• Metal-metal bonding
• The 18 electron-rule
• Spin states: High-, Low-spin and Spin-crossover systems
• Magnetic properties
• Cluster formation
• Ligand types
• The influence of ligands on a metal ions d-electron configuration and hence structure and properties and reactivity
• Lewis acid-base reactions
• Ligand substitutions
• Comproportionation and disproportionation reactions
• Template reactions
• Oxidative addition and reductive elimination reactions
• Beta-elimination, alkyl migration, insertion reactions
• Reactions of molecules promoted by coordination
• Chemical synthesis using selected d-block metal ions
• Application of UV-visible, NMR, IR, Raman spectroscopies, mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography to the characterisation of metal-organic compounds
• Safety and basic procedures for handling organic and inorganic chemicals
• Applications e.g. in materials, medicine, industrial and biological catalysis

Literature

• C. E. Housecroft & A. G. Sharpe: Inorganic Chemistry, Prentice Hall 4th ed.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam

1. Participation in laboratory classes is a prerequisite for participation in exam a). Pass/fail, internal marking by teacher. (10011922).

Assessment and marking:

1. Submission of short report including interpretation of any spectra obtained. Presentation or demonstration in class. Pass/fail, internal marking (1 ECTS).
2. 3 hour written examination. External examiner, marks according to the Danish 7-point marking scale (4 ECTS).
   All exam aids allowed. A closer description of the exam rules will be posted under 'Course Information' on Blackboard.

Reexamination in the same exam period or immediately thereafter. The mode of exam at the reexamination may differ from the mode of exam at the ordinary exam.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
Intro phase: 24 hours
Skills training phase: 26 hours, hereof:
 - Tutorials: 12 hours
 - Laboratory exercises: 14 hours

Educational activities

Educational form
Activities during the study phase:

• Reading the text book and doing selected problem solving
• Fill out standardized report schemes before and after laboratory classes paying particular attention to describing observations in terms of the chemical reactions taking place and balancing chemical reactions
• Interpret spectra and other results
• Study for exam

Language
This course is taught in Danish or English, depending on the lecturer. However, if international students participate, the teaching language will always be English.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.