Chemistry 461

Inorganic Chemistry

Spring 2012

Instructor: Dr.Renee Beeton

Office: PorterHall, Room 303

Office Hours: R 1:00 – 3:00, F 8:00 – 10:00 and by appointment

Office Number: 587-7383

Email:

Course Description

This is an introductory survey course for inorganic chemistry. The goal of the course is to get a feel for the variety of subjects studied by inorganic chemists. Topics covered with include modern concepts of structure, bonding, and reactivity for inorganic compounds, acid-base reactivity, coordination compounds, and organometallic chemistry.

Student Learning Outcomes:

(A) Students will develop a working knowledge of theoretical inorganic chemistry.

(B) Students will be able to relate the concepts and theories of inorganic chemistry to other disciplines where appropriate.

(C)Students will increase their ability to deal with difficult subject matter in a logical and systematic fashion.

(D) Students will enhance their ability to think as a chemist.

(E) Students will gain an appreciation of the historical development of theoretical inorganic chemistry.

Textbook

Inorganic Chemistry 3th edition by Gary L. Miessler and Donald A. Tarr

ISBN: 0-13-035471-6

There is also a Solutions Manual that goes with the book. This is not required, but recommended. It is not sold at the bookstore, but can be found on-line.

Assignments, Evaluation Procedures, and Grading Policy:

  1. Homework: Homework will be assigned on a regular basis.

2. Term Paper: Students are required to write a research report on any area of inorganic chemistry that they find interesting (following approval of the topic by the instructor). The paper should be 4-6 typed double spaced pages, not including figures, graphs, or references. The paper is due Friday, May 4.

  1. Examinations: Three exams will be administered during the semester at the GLTC. There will be no time limit on these exams, but must be taken on the days specified. A comprehensive final exam will be given at the end of the semester during finals week.

Exam 1 Thursday, February 16 - Friday, February 17

Exam 2 Monday, March 26 – Wednesday, March 28

Exam 3 Thursday, April 26 – Friday, April 27

Final Exam Tuesday, May 8 1:00 – 3:00

4. Grading: Your final course grade will be determined by the percentages illustrated below:

Homework 20%

Three Hour Exams 50%

Term Paper 10%

Final Exam 20%

There will be no letter grade assigned until all possible points have been accumulated. If you need to estimate your letter grade, use the following scale: 87% – 75% – 60% – 50%

Tentative list of topics covered:

Topic / Reading Assignment
Atomic Structure and Periodic Trends / Ch. 2
Bonding Theories / Ch. 3
Symmetry and Group Theory / Ch. 4
Molecular Orbital Theory / Ch. 5 (skip 5-2-4, 5-2-5, 5-3-2, 5-4, 5-5)
Crystalline Solid States / Ch. 7 (skip 7-1-2, 7-1-3, 7-1-4, 7-2, 7-4, 7-5, 7-7)
Acid-Base Chemistry / Ch. 6 (skip 6-3-2)
Coordination Chemistry - Structure / Ch. 9
Coordination Chemistry - Bonding / Ch. 10 (skip 10-1-2)
Coordination Chemistry - Reactions / Ch. 12 (skip 12-4-2, 12-8-2, 12-9)
Organometallic Chemistry / Ch. 13 (skip 13-7)
Organometallic Reactions/Catalysis / Ch. 14

Cheating, Withdrawals, Incompletes and Special Consideration

Cheating: Cheating of any sort will not be tolerated. If you are caught intentionally cheating, you will receive as a minimum penalty an F for the course and may be subject to additional discipline from the college.

Withdrawals and Incompletes: The last day to withdraw from this course and receive a grade of W is March 9. After that date, a W may be given only with special approval and for extenuating circumstance. Poor performance in class does not constitute an extenuating circumstance. A grade of incomplete is given only for documented medical reasons or extenuating circumstances, to be determined by the instructor. Poor performance in class is not an acceptable reason for an incomplete.

Special Consideration: If you require course adaptations or accommodations because of a documented disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need particular arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

Evacuation Plan: Should it be necessary to evacuate the classroom, the quickest way to exit is by the main door. Following an evacuation, we MUST meet. This is important as we must notify emergency personal if someone is potentially in the building. Our meeting location will be outside the main door to Porter hall. Be aware that emergency vehicles will be using the parking lot and the drive around Porter.

If you feel you might need assistance in quickly evacuating the building, please notify me.