OVERVIEW

The 'Inorganic Chemistry 1 with Laboratory' course ideally follows the 'General and Inorganic Chemistry' course and is therefore aimed not only at deepening certain concepts already addressed by students during the first year (e.g. periodic properties), but above all at tackling in an organic manner the study of the chemical behaviour of the elements of the main groups (s and p), as well as the reactivity and characteristics of transition elements. From this point of view, a large part of the Course is devoted to the study of coordination compounds of the first transition series, both through the description of their peculiar characteristics and properties, and through the laboratory synthesis of the compounds themselves. Aspects related to preparation strategies and possible characterisations will be explored in depth, and students will be required to complete reports on each completed laboratory experience.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The purpose of the course is to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the chemical behavior of the elements of blocks s and p of the periodic system, and of the fundamental characteristics of the elements of blocks d and f, with particular attention to their coordination chemistry. The laboratory activity aims to make students acquire the skills necessary for the synthesis and characterization of coordination compounds. The course also aims to develop the ability to conduct group experiments and to write reports on laboratory activities.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the chemical behavior of the elements of the s and p blocks of the periodic table, and of the fundamental characteristics of the elements of the “d” and “f” blocks, paying specific attention to their coordination chemistry. The laboratory activity will provide the skills necessary for the synthesis, characterization and purification of coordination compounds. The course also aims to develop the ability to conduct both individual and small group experiments and to write reports about laboratory activity. The reports are corrected at the end of the course.

PREREQUISITES

To understand the covered topics, knowledges acquired during the General and Inorganic Chemistry course are required.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of a total of 11 CFU: 2.5 CFU are dedicated to practical exercises carried out in the laboratory (single or paired, depending on the type). The remaining 8.5 CFU are carried out in the classroom with lectures during which the topics of the syllabus are addressed and introductory and preparatory explanations to the laboratory activity are provided. An IBL (Inquiry-Based Learning) activity will be proposed during the course to further involve and stimulate students during their training; this activity includes 4 hours in the classroom and 4 hours in the laboratory.

Students will be required to complete a report on the laboratory exercises, which will be corrected by the lecturers and given back to the students.

Attendance at both laboratory class and the introductory lectures is compulsory.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

General properties of the elements in relation to the Periodic Table. Hydrogen. The "s” and the “p” elements: physical and chemical properties, structure, reactivity, preparation of the elements and of their main compounds. General properties of the transition elements. Coordination compounds: stereochemistry, ligands and bonding theories (valence bond, crystal field and molecular orbitals). 

Formation constant in octahedral complex. Thermodynamic stability, mechanism of ligand exchange in octahedral complexes. Inorganic synthetic techniques, purification and characterization methods.

Synthesis, purification and characterization of inorganic compounds.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Chimica degli elementi – Vol. I e II - N.N. Greenwood, A. Earnshaw, Casa Editrice: Piccin Nuova Libraria (Padova)

Chimica Inorganica – J.E. Huheey, E.A. Keiter, R.L. Keiter, Casa Editrice: Piccin (Padova)

Chimica Inorganica – D.F.Shriver, P.W.Atkins, C.H.Langford, Casa Editrice: Zanichelli (Bologna)

Chimica Inorganica descrittiva – Geoff Rayner-Canham, Tina Overton, Casa Editrice Edises (2017).

G.S. Girolami, T.B. Rauchfuss, R.J. Angelici, Synthesis and Technique in Inorganic Chemistry, 3rd edition, 1999, University Science Books

Teaching material provided by the teachers.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Startig from september, 21 2026

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination consists of a written test and an oral test. Only those who obtain a sufficient mark (≥18/30) in the written test will be admitted to the oral examination. Both parts will contribute to the final grade, which must in any case reach a sufficient level; the grade obtained for the reports compiled by the students on the laboratory lessons and previously corrected by the lecturers will be taken into account. During the oral part, knowledge of the topics covered during the lectures and practical exercises will be verified and, if necessary, particular critical issues related to the written test will be also discussed. The oral examination is always conducted by two lecturers and the correction of the written test is carried out by the same lecturers.

A passed written exam remains valid only for the current academic year.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Teachers can verify with high accuracy the achievement of learning outcomes, taking into account the aforementioned exam description. The laboratory activities, for which students must submit a written report, are also taken into account. When goals are not achieved, student has to deepen the study and are requested to ask for further explanations. 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Compensatory and dispensatory measures Disability/Invalidity/Specific Learning Disorder

Dispensatory measures and compensatory tools are intended to enable students to achieve the same learning objectives as their fellow students, not to facilitate the examination.

The use of compensatory tools and the application of dispensatory measures must be authorised in advance by the teacher in agreement with the Referee.

To take advantage of the adaptations during the examination, fill in the Adaptation request form; the request will be automatically sent by the system to the teacher in charge of the teaching, to the Contact Person of your School/Area/Department and in copy to the Sector; you will also receive a copy of the request sent by e-mail.

The adjustments available to students are as follows:

• Additional time (+30% DSA)
• Additional time (+50% disability/invalidity)
• Additional time during oral exams to organise the answer
• Calculator (programmable and graphing calculators are not allowed)
• Conceptual Maps
• Tables and/or Forms
• Take the exam in written form
• Take the exam in oral form
• Tutor reader (for written tests only)
• Tutor-writer (for written tests only)

Your request for adaptations must be submitted at least 7 working days before the scheduled exam date.

All information for students with disabilities and DSA is available on the webpage: Services for students with disabilities or DSA | UniGe | University of Genoa

Reference for inclusion: Sergio Di Domizio - sergio.didomizio@unige.it