CH2IN1NU-Further Inorganic Chemistry

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Semesters in which taught: Semester 1 / 2 module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Available at the NUIST-Reading Academy only
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Anthony Powell
Email: a.v.powell@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The aim of this module is to further students’ understanding of key aspects of inorganic chemistry, including main group and transition metal chemistry, organometallic chemistry, symmetry and structural chemistry.

Module Lead:  Shini Kar (skar06@gmail.com)

Aims:

The aim of this module is to further students’ understanding of key aspects of inorganic chemistry, including main group and transition metal chemistry, organometallic chemistry, symmetry and structural chemistry.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students should be able to:

• Describe and discuss the subject matter of the module, and explain the concepts raised within it.


• Critically examine questions raised in tutorials and workshops, and analyse numerical and other problems.


• To probe the electronic and geometric structures of transition metal compounds.

Additional outcomes:

The students should improve their oral and presentation skills through tutorials and analytical, numeracy and problem-solving skills through workshops and tutorials.

Outline content:

Semester 1:

Symmetry:



Symmetry elements and operations. Point groups. Character tables: characters, representations, reduction formula, irreducible representations, symmetry species. Chirality. Molecular vibrations: vibrational representations, assignments, spectroscopic activity.



Coordination chemistry of d block elements:



Development of a molecular orbital approach to sigma-bonding in transition metal complexes; comparisons and analogies with crystal field theory. Ligand-metal pi-interactions in octahedral transition metal complexes; sigma and pi type ligands. Hard and soft metals and ligands. Electron counting and the 18 electron rule. Synergistic bonding and effect on structure. Ligand displacement reactions in coordination complexes. The trans influence and trans effect. Comparison of first row with second and third row behaviour; the effect of the lanthanide contraction. Multiple metal-metal bonding. Redox diagrams.

Semester 2:

Main Group Chemistry:



The chemistry of Groups 13-16. Basic trends in the inorganic and organometallic chemistry are considered and illustrated by important examples. Where appropriate synthetic methods are given and molecular structures discussed. Group 18 chemistry.



Crystal Field Theory, Spectroscopic and Magnetic properties of transition metal complexes:

The crystal field model. Crystal field stabilisation energy in octahedral and tetrahedral complexes. Derivation of splitting diagrams for some other geometries. The Jahn Teller effect.

UV-vis spectroscopy, term symbols, Orgel and Tanabe-Sugano diagrams. Magnetic properties of complexes.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module is mainly carried out by lectures. Tutorials and workshops will be provided to help students put the theory into practice. Each lecture or tutorial or workshop is a 2-hour session.

Contact hours:

	Semester 1	Semester 2
Lectures	40	40
Tutorials	8	8
Guided independent study:	52	52
Total hours by term	100	100
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	80
Set exercise	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

1x 2 hour examination at the end of Semester 1, 40% (based on topics covered in semester 1)

1x 2 hour examination at the end of Semester 2, 40% (based on topics covered in semester 2)

( 2 x exams, 40% each = 80%)

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

A number of workshops will be delivered during the year. The four best workshops (two from semester 1 and two from semester 2) will each count 5% to the module mark = 20%

(4 x workshops, 5% each = 20%)

Formative assessment methods:

Students will gain experience of putting their knowledge into practice and receive informal feedback on their progress in workshop and tutorial sessions.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment of the written examination is held during the University administered re-examination period in August. Failed coursework may be re-assessed by an alternative assignment before or during the August re-examination period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 22 September 2022