CHEMISTRY 321

Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry

This course concentrates on the coordination chemistry of the transition metals. Topics covered include isomerism, symmetry, group theory, molecular orbital theory, uv-visible spectroscopy, and the kinetics and mechanisms of ligand substitution reactions. If time permits, organometallic chemistry and bio-inorganic chemistry will also be introduced.

CHEM 221 or equivalent.

1. Introduction. Coordination numbers , geometry, isomerism and types of ligands found in coordination compounds. Nomenclature. (2 hrs);
2. Symmetry. Symmetry operations and Group Theory. (4 hrs);
3. The Metal-Ligand Bond. Valence Bond theory, Crystal Field theory and Molecular Orbital Theory. Correlation diagrams and group orbitals. Application of group theory to molecular orbitals. Octahedral, tetrahedral square-planar geometries. Magnetic moments, visible spectra, the spectrochemical series, Jahn-Teller distortion. Application of the angular overlap model for sigma and pi interactions. (15 hours);
4. Complex Stability. Stability constants. The effect of Crystal Field Stabilisation Energy and choice of ligand on the thermodynamic stability of complexes. (3 hrs);
5. Kinetics. Inert and labile compounds, dissociative. interchange and associative mechanisms. Kinetic chelate effect. The Trans effect. (Inner and 6 hrs outer-sphere redox reactions);
6. Organo-transitionmetal Chemistry. Nomenclature, the 16-18 electron rule and electron counting. Application of 18 electron rule to various geometries. Bonding of carbonyl, alkyl, alkene, alkyne, allyl and arene ligands. (8 hrs);
7. Bioinorganic Chemistry. Structures, electron configurations and properties of iron porphyrin and related compounds. (3 hrs);
8. Recent Advances in Inorganic Chemistry. Reprint material will be used to illustrate recent advances in the area. (3 hrs);