AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to explore some areas of inorganic chemistry, such as coordination chemistry, organometallic chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry, highlighting their most innovative themes.

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes lectures (where both topics included in the programme and explanations of laboratory experiments are discussed) and laboratory sessions, for a total of 8 credits. The laboratory experiences are conducted in  pairs, and  the submission of an individual report at the end of the course is requested.

The attendance to both the laboratory and the lessons of explanation of experiences is mandatory.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Coordination chemistry: electronic spectra, magnetic properties, reactions and mechanisms. Molecular symmetry, point groups, applications of group theory. Metallorganic chemistry: the 18-electron rule; carbonyl complexes, ligands similar to CO, hydride and dihydrogen complexes, ligands having extended Pi systems (linear and cyclic Pi systems); alkyl and related complexes; carbene and carbyne complexes. Metallorganic reactions: reactions involving gain or loss of ligands; reactions involving modifications of ligands. Metallorganic catalysis: hydroformilation; Monsanto acid acetic process; Wacker process; hydrogenation; olefin methatesis; water gas reaction. Cluster compounds: boranes; heteroboranes; metalloboranes. Carbonyl clusters. High valence clusters (halide and chalcogenide clusters). Multiple metal-metal bonds. A few aspects of the bioinorganic chemistry: biochemistry of Fe; biochemistry of other metals such as Zn, Cu, Co, Mo. Laboratory experiments concern the synthesis and characterization (through special inorganic methodologies) of selected inorganic compounds belonging to the classes treated in the theoretical part of the course. List of experiments: 1) Synthesis and characterization of the geometric isomers cis- and trans- [Mo(CO)4(PPH3)2] 2) Synthesis, characterization and acetylation of ferrocene 3) Synthesis and characterization of copper(I)-pyridine-iodide clusters with thermocromic luminescence properties 4) Synthesis and characterization of the carbonyl cluster Fe3(CO)12 5) Synthesis and characterization of a model compound of Vitamin B12, methylation and characterization of the methylated product.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Chimica Inorganica. G.L.Miessler, D.A. Tarr, Piccin Ed. IV ediz.

- Chimica Inorganica. Principi, strutture, reattività. J.E.Huheey, E.A. Keiter, R.L.Keiter, Piccin Ed.

- The organometallic chemistry of the transition metals. R.H. Crabtree, John Wiley & Sons, IV edition

- Bioinorganic chemistry: inorganic elements in the chemistry of life. W. Kaim, B. Schwederski, A. Klein, Wiley Ed. II edition

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SERENA DE NEGRI (President)

ADRIANA SACCONE (President)

GABRIELE CACCIAMANI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Starting from October, 24, 2016, according to the timetable shown at www.ctc.unige.it

Class schedule

COMPLEMENTS OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is oral,it  is always conducted by two teachers and lasts approximately 60 minutes

ASSESSMENT METHODS

With the exam description mentioned above the Commission can verify with high accuracy the achievement of learning outcomes of teaching. The laboratory activities, on which students must submit a written report, are also taken into account. When goals are not achieved, the student is asked to deepen the study and to ask further explanations to teachers.
The CCS ensures the correspondence between the exam topics and those actually covered during the course. To this aim, at the end of the course, the book of the lessons is published in a web site reserved for members of the CCS and student representatives. In this way, students themselves can ensure the adherence to this rule.
 

Exam schedule