D1) Knowledge and understanding: at the end of the class, the student will have a good knowledge of inorganic and coordination chemistry, and a basic knowledge of nuclear chemistry. In particular, the student will be capable to: understand and describe chemical bonding in simple polyatomic molecules; derive the shape of simple molecules from VSEPR theory; explain trends in the Periodic Table; identify symmetry elements in molecules and learn how to classify them in point groups; have a good knowledge of the meaning of ligand, coordination number, and geometry of coordination compounds; understand chelation, and qualitatively explain the chelate effect; understand and interpret Latimer and Frost diagrams; understand and use the HSAB theory; understand the crystal and electronic structures of metals and ionic solids; understand dia- and paramagnetism of molecules and ions, and their relation to electronic structure; predict the d-orbitals splitting in simple coordination environments; know the spectrochemical series and use it to interpret electronic spectra of complexes; read and understand correctly a Jablonski diagram; understand the substitutional and redox reactivity of coordination compounds and their mechanisms; rationalise and interpret the general trends in the chemistry of transition metals and their compounds. In addition, the student will have acquired a good knowledge of the basic procedures for the synthesis, purification and characterization of coordination compounds. D2) Applying knowledge and understanding: the student will be capable to homogenize the notions apprehended in this class, both theoretical and practical, and also to design and realize simple experiments concerning the preparation, purification and characterization of coordination compounds. D3) Making judgements: the student will understand the distinctive features of metal compounds, compared to organic compounds, in terms of structure, reactivity and bonding, and will have a comprehensive vision of the chemistry of the elements and of their periodic properties. The student will be also capable to predict, in broad terms, the coordination chemistry of the d-block metals. D4) Communication skills: at the end of the class the student will manage to master and expose clearly the concepts described at point 1, demonstrating to have acquired a good general knowledge and understanding of the topics and the capability of making logical connections between different parts. D5) Learning skills: at the end of the course the student will be capable to get autonomously a deeper knowledge of the topics dealt with in the class, including through the reading and comprehension of textbooks and of articles published on specific scientific journals.

Successful accomplishment of the General chemistry course

The course consists of 7 CFU of theoretical part and 4 CFU of laboratory. The theoretical part follows the classical pattern of modern Inorganic Chemistry texts, however, dealing only with the general parts. Topics such as descriptive chemistry of groups and lanthanides, as well as organometallic chemistry, are deferred to other courses in the Master of Science degree in Chemistry. The main topics covered in the theoretical part are as follows: Atomic structure and periodic properties Molecular symmetry Molecular structure and bonding (diatomic and polyatomic molecules) Redox precesses Periodic trends Structures of simple solids d-block metals Coordination compounds Coordination compounds: reaction mechanisms Nuclear properties. The laboratory part also includes introductory lectures on the following topics: Introduction to spectroscopic techniques. NMR spectroscopy applied to coordination compounds. Laboratory experiments concern the chemistry of coordination compounds.

M. Weller, T. Overton, J. Rourke, F. Armstrong La chimica inorganica di Atkins Zanichelli (seconda edizione italiana sulla settima edizione inglese) C.E. Housecroft, A.G. Sharpe Chimica inorganica Piccin These textbooks can be found also in the original english version. Slides used during the lectures will be provided on the Moodle platform (as pdf files). Some scholarly articles are also available on Moodle for those who wish to explore specific topics in more detail.

Atomic structure and periodic properties Molecular symmetry Molecular structure and bonding (diatomic and polyatomic molecules) Redox precesses Periodic trends Structures of simple solids d-block metals Coordination compounds Coordination compounds: reaction mechanisms Nuclear properties Introduction to spectroscopic techniques. NMR spectroscopy applied to coordination compounds. Laboratory experiments on the chemistry of coordination compounds Extended program: Atomic structure: structures of hydrogen atoms (principles of quantum mechanics, atomic orbitals). Polyelectronic atoms and periodic properties (penetration and shielding, principle of progressive filling, element classification, atomic properties). Molecular symmetry: operations and elements of symmetry, point groups, character tables, application of symmetry concepts. Molecular structure and bonding: bonding models, valence bond theory, homonuclear diatomic molecules, electronegativity, dipole moment, molecular orbital theory, heteronuclear diatomic molecules, VSEPR theory and structure of molecules. Bonding in polyatomic molecules: valence bond theory and hybridization of atomic orbitals, multiple bonds, molecular orbital theory, group orbitals and their applications. Reduction and Oxidation: Frost-Ebsworth diagrams. Structures of simple metallic and ionic solids. description of structures of solids, structures of metals and alloys, ionic solids, energetic aspects of ionic bonding, defects and non-stechiometry, electronic structures of solids, band theory. d-block metals: general considerations, characteristic propertiesand periodic trends. Coordination compounds: coordination numbers and geometries, hard-soft theory, isomerismin coordination compounds, crystal field theory, molecular orbital theory, ligand field theory, electronic spectra, magnetic properties. Reactivity of coordination compounds and reaction mechanisms: ligand substitution, substitutions in square planar complexes, substitutions in octahedral complexes, electron transfer processes, photochemical reactions Nuclear properties: nuclear binding energy, radioactivity, artificial isotopes, nuclear fission, separation of radioactive elements, applications of isotopes. Laboratory: 5-6 experiences are done, carried out by students in pairs, concerning the synthesis and characterization of coordination compounds.

The theoretical part consists of classroom teaching.
The laboratory consists of a limited part of classroom teaching and of 5-6 laboratory experiments (for which the students are divided in pairs). Part of the classroom teaching is devoted to the illustration of the experiments to be performed as well as to a discussion of those already accomplished. The students are required to write a detailed report for each experiment.

All the powerpoint slides shown during lessons are made available to the students as pdf files through the Moodle platform. In addition, some research papers dealing are also made available on Moodle for those students that want to gain a deeper insight particular parts of the course. For the laboratory part, the detailed description of each experiment is also provided through the Moodle platform.

The oral examination (with a final mark given in n/30), articulated in the form of a blackboard interview with possible request to comment on slides used during the course, consists in a number of questions on both the theoretical and the laboratory part (at least 5-6 in total, with an average duration of 40 – 45 min). It always begins from the critical description and discussion of a laboratory experiment. In answering to the questions, the student is expected to show that he/she has acquired a good general knowledge and understanding of the topics and that he/she is capable of making logical connections between different parts. The evaluation grid adopted is as follows: Excellent (30 - 30 cum laude): excellent knowledge of the topics, excellent language property, excellent analytical ability, ability to brilliantly apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases. Very good (27 - 29): good knowledge of topics, remarkable language property, good analytical ability, ability to correctly apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases. Good (24-26): good knowledge of the main topics, fair properties of language, adequate ability to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases. Satisfactory (21-23): possession of the fundamental knowledge of the teaching but incomplete mastery of some main topics, satisfactory ownership of language, and sufficient ability to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases. Sufficient (18-20): minimal knowledge of the main teaching topics and technical language, limited ability to adequately apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases. Insufficient: lack of acceptable content knowledge of various program topics.

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