STRUCTURE, BONDING AND REACTIONS OF INORGANIC COMPOUNDS - 2022/3
Module code: CHE2042
Module Overview
The module covers intermediate aspects of inorganic chemistry including bonding, structure and reactivity of p-, d-and f-block elements and an introduction to molecular symmetry. The module includes a laboratory component as coursework.
Module provider
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Module Leader
RIDDLESTONE Ian (Chst Chm Eng)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 5
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 81
Lecture Hours: 25
Tutorial Hours: 2
Laboratory Hours: 42
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
Indicative content includes:
• Molecular compounds formed by and / or between p-block elements. Boranes and carboranes – the basis and use of Wades Rules. Closo-, nido-, arachno- cages. Interhalogens and related ions. The inert pair effect. Electron deficient bonding models. Metal-metal bonding in trasnsition metal chemistry.
• Molecular shape. Symmetry in inorganic chemistry. Symmetry operations and elements. Point groups and their assignment. Symmetry labels, as applied to orbitals. Construction of character tables. Tanabe-Sugano and Orgel diagrams.
• Molecular orbital diagrams of heterodiatomics and small molecules e.g. H2O.
• Further transition metal chemistry. Crystal-field theory vs molecular orbital appoach. The Spectrochemical series linked to molecular orbital and pi-donor or acceptor ligands. Reaction mechanisms for ligand substitution (associative, dissociative, A/D) and electron transfer (outer sphere, inner sphere) in transition metal chemistry. Simple magnetochemistry.
• Introduction to f-block chemistry. Lanthanide contraction. Prevalence of the +3 oxidation state, and exceptions. Comparisons to d-block. Simple magnetochemistry. Oxidation states in oxides and aqueous chemistry.
• Laboratory experiments on the synthesis, quantitative and qualitative analyses on topics in main group, d-block and solid state chemistry.
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Practical based assessment | LAB PORTFOLIO SUMMATIVE EXPT A | 8 |
| Practical based assessment | LAB PORTFOLIO SUMMATIVE EXPT B | 12 |
| Examination | 2 HOUR CLOSED BOOK EXAM | 80 |
Alternative Assessment
Failure in the laboratory may require re-assessment through a defined practical examination
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate successful achievement of the learning outcomes.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- Closed book examination addressing LO1-LO4
- Laboratory portfolio addressing LO1-LO4
Formative assessment
Tutorial sessions addressing LO1-LO4 through set problems
Laboratory portfolio consisting of both formative and summative experiments addressing LO4
Feedback
Feedback on problem sets is provided in each tutorial
Revision classes provide feedback on student’s approach to past examination problems
Feedback on laboratory performance is provided in each pre-lab session – 1 per week before each laboratory session
Module aims
- To show how the fundamentals of structure, bonding, substitution and redox reactions and spectroscopy are linked. How these may be applied to explain the chemistry and properties of selected p-. d- and f-block elements.
- To introduce concepts in molecular symmetry – from the definition of symmetry operations to the anatomy of character tables.
- To introduce electron counting theories through the introduction to Borane chemistry and Wades rules, as expained through a molecular orbital approach.
- To expand on d-block transition metal chemistry to include a review of crystal field theory and its link to molecular orbital theory. Thus, explain the Spectrochemical series.
- To review the reaction mechanisms of transition metal complexes for ligand exchange and redox.
- To introduce the chemistry of the f-block with an emphasis on the differences between d- and f-block chemistry, trends and reactivity.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Determine the point group of small molecules and understand how the molecule’s symmetry relates to its character table. | CK |
| 002 | Explain the differences between a crystal field theory and molecular orbital approach to transition metal complexes. How the latter can be used to explain different trends and experimental observations | CK |
| 003 | Understand the importance of thermodynamic and kinetic controls to impact on the nature and reactivity of complexes in solution and be able to interpret the values and significance of stability and rate constants | CK |
| 004 | Demonstrate appropriate analytical and cognitive skills in solving problems and practical skills in carrying out more advanced experimental work. | CKPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
Transfer and embed knowledge, and encourage students to understand and further investigate key aspects of inorganic chemistry in terms of the nature, structure, bonding, reactivity of selected p-, d- and f-block elements and compounds.
The learning and teaching methods include:
- Face to Face lectures each week
- Revision classes
- Laboratory classes, each with a 1 hour pre-lab session
- Tutorials
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: CHE2042
Other information
None
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry BSc (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Medicinal Chemistry BSc (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Medicinal Chemistry MChem | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Chemistry with Forensic Investigation BSc (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Chemistry MChem | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Chemistry with Forensic Investigation MChem | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2022/3 academic year.