CHEM 121A: Inorganic Chemistry I
Spring 2017
M, W, Th 11:00 – 11:50 PM
Location TBA
Instructor: Casey Wade
Email: [email protected]
Office: Edison-Lecks 116
Phone: x62827
Office hours: Wed. 1-3pm, Fri. 3-5pm (other times by appointment only)
TA: Caitlin Bien
TA Office: Edison-Lecks 232
Email: [email protected]
Textbook: Miessler, G. L.; Tarr, D. A. Inorganic Chemistry, 4th or 5th Ed., Prentice-Hall, 2004
(978-0321811059). Chapters covered: 1-3 (review), 4, 5, 9-11, 7, 8.
Optional: F. A. Cotton, Chemical Applications of Group Theory, Wiley, 3rd
edition, ISBN: 978-0471510949.
Additional readings from the scientific literature will be assigned and provided as necessary.
Other resources:
Latte will be used to post lecture notes, assignments, answer keys, and other relevant material.
Learning Goals:
Upon completion of this course, students will have an advanced understanding of the
structure and bonding of inorganic and organometallic molecules as well as physical
characterization techniques, including spectroscopy and materials characterization. Students will
be able to use symmetry and qualitative bonding models to understand the spectroscopic features
and reactivity of transition metal complexes. This course will also expose students to the primary
chemical literature and emerging areas of chemical research related to sustainability and renewable
energy.
Grading
15% Problem Sets
10% Project (TBA)
20% Midterm Exam #1 (tentatively the week of Feb. 27 – Mar. 3)
20% Midterm Exam #2 (tentatively the week of April 3–7)
35% Final Exam (cumulative, Date and Time TBA)
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Problem sets will be distributed weekly on non-exam weeks and will be due the
following week at the beginning of class (unless stated otherwise) – problem sets turned
in late will count as a 0 (unless previously negotiated)
Exams will be scheduled in the evening (2 hours).
The final exam will be cumulative
Grading will be curved on an “as-needed” basis
Policies
 Attendance and class participation is expected for all lectures.
 If an exam is missed without a medical excuse or without prior arrangement with the
instructor, a grade of zero will be recorded for that exam. THERE ARE NO MAKEUPS
FOR EXAMS. If a student has a documented conflict (religious reason, sporting event, etc)
with a scheduled exam, s/he may take the exam earlier than the scheduled time, but only if
the professor is informed at least one week in advance.
 Collaborative work:
Collaboration with your peers on problem sets is welcome and encouraged. However, I
expect each of you to turn in individual problem sets showing all explanations for your
answers. Bear in mind that graded problem sets are for YOUR benefit.
 Laptops/cell phones:
-Laptop use in class is discouraged. Note-taking in this course cannot be done effectively
using a computer since this course involves chemical structures, orbitals, and 3dimensional representations.
-Cell phone use during class is distracting and disrespectful to other students and the
instructor. If I see or hear a cellular device, I reserve the right to confiscate it.
Success in this 4 credit hour course is based on the expectation that students will spend a minimum
of 9 hours of study time per week in preparation for class (assigned readings, problem sets,
preparation for exams, etc.).
_______________________________________________________________________
Academic dishonesty is a serious academic offense at Brandeis University and may lead to severe
academic penalties. You are expected to be familiar with and to follow the University’s policies
on academic integrity (http://www.brandeis.edu/studentlife/sdc/ai).
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If you are a student with a documented disability on record at Brandeis University and wish to
have a reasonable accommodation made for you in this class, please see me immediately.
Topics covered (subject to change)
I.
II.
III.
IV.
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VI.
VII.
VIII.
Introduction to inorganic chemistry and chemical literature.
Bonding in inorganic molecules (Review Ch. 1-3)
a. Review of orbitals, quantum numbers, and valence shells
b. Valence Bond Theory (Lewis dot structures)
c. VSEPR theory
Molecular symmetry and Group theory (Ch. 4 and Cotton)
a. Symmetry operations
b. Point groups
c. Matrix representations and point groups
d. Character tables and irreducible representations
e. Application of symmetry and group theory to IR spectroscopy
Molecular orbital theory (Ch. 5)
a. Applications of group theory to molecular orbital descriptions
b. SALCs – a qualitative way to understand the bonding in molecules
Coordination Chemistry of Transition Metals (Ch. 9, 10)
a. Structure and isomers
b. Crystal field theory
c. Ligand field theory
Electronic Structure and Spectroscopy (Ch. 10, 11)
a. Magnetism
b. Russell-Saunders Coupling
c. Electronic Spectra of Transition Metal Complexes
Reactions and Mechanisms in Coordination Chemistry (Ch. 12)
a. Mechanisms of Ligand Substitution
b. Stereochemistry of Reactions
c. Electron Transfer Reactions
Topic TBD
Solid State Inorganic Chemistry (Ch. 7) or Bioinorganic Chemistry (Ch. 16)