Ateneo - UPO

The course consists of a theoretical part and a laboratory part. The theoretical course is focused on the study of the global non renewable mineral resources, the chemistry of inorganic elements, transition metals, their inorganic and organometallic compounds and the coordination chemistry as a tool for an efficient use, recovery and valorisation of inorganic elements.
The main properties of inorganic chemical elements, their global availability, reactivity and their useful characteristics will be treated.
The fundamentals of coordination chemistry as the formation and reactivity of coordination and organometallic compounds will be addressed.
Nuclear chemistry fundamentals will also be treated. The laboratory component will include a description of laboratory and characterization techniques, a series of experiments in which several inorganic, coordination, and organometallic compounds will be synthesized and characterized, the characterization of the products using different analytical techniques, and a discussion of the experiments based on theoretical concepts.

Lesson notes (slides) and any useful material providing further insights will be provided on D.I.R. The following inorganic chemistry textbooks are recommended:
M. Weller, T. Overton, J. Rourke, F. Armston, La chimica inorganica di Atkins, Zanichelli
G. L. Miessler, D. A. Tarr, Chimica inorganica, Piccin
Huheey, Keiter, Keiter, Chimica Inorganica, Piccin
N.N. Greenwood, A. Earnshaw, Chimica degli Elementi, Piccin
G. Rayner-Canham, T. Overton, Chimica inorganica descrittiva, Edises

For the laboratory part:
M. T. Weller, N. A. Young, Characterisation Methods in Inorganic Chemistry, Oxford

INORGANIC CHEMISTRY (6 ECTS)

Students will be able to analyze and critically evaluate the main factors leading to the definition of **Critical Raw Materials (CRMs)** by integrating knowledge of their geological occurrence, extraction processes, applications, and geopolitical relevance.
Students will acquire knowledge of and develop critical reasoning skills regarding the use of radioactive isotopes in support of human activities, including energy production, medicine, and military applications. Through the study of radiochemistry, they will be able to assess the advantages, disadvantages, opportunities, and potential risks associated with their use.
Students are expected to acquire a solid understanding of the characteristics, chemical behavior, and properties of inorganic elements belonging to the main groups and transition metals, as well as their compounds, industrial applications, and environmental impact.
Students will also acquire the theoretical foundations of coordination chemistry, including knowledge of ligands (definition, characteristics, classification, and bonding modes) and the ability to identify coordination modes, molecular geometry, types of interactions, and the structural and chemical properties of coordination complexes.
Furthermore, students will develop the ability to apply the concepts learned to solve simple theoretical problems and laboratory-related questions presented during the course.
With regard to communication skills, students will acquire and appropriately use scientific terminology specific to inorganic chemistry and the topics covered throughout the course.
Making judgements: Students are expected to develop critical thinking skills and the ability to perform comparative analyses and make informed evaluations.

LABORATORY (3 ECTS)

This laboratory module complements the theoretical course through practical activities in inorganic chemistry.

The knowledge acquired during the lectures—including the chemical behavior of main-group elements and their compounds, the distinctive properties of metallic species (acidity/basicity and redox behavior), the principles of coordination chemistry, the chelate effect, and the characteristic reactions of metal complexes (formation constants, reaction mechanisms, and kinetic aspects)—will provide the scientific basis for laboratory experiments designed to reinforce theoretical concepts through practical application.
To support the laboratory activities, aimed at developing competence in understanding, identifying, analyzing, and characterizing the processes and products investigated experimentally, the fundamental principles of several analytical techniques will be introduced or reviewed, including infrared (IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV–Visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
Students will develop the ability to perform laboratory operations correctly and safely, including synthesis, purification, and characterization procedures for inorganic compounds and materials. They will also learn to critically interpret experimental results in relation to the theoretical concepts covered in the course, thereby strengthening their analytical and judgement skills.
In addition, students will enhance their scientific communication skills by acquiring and appropriately using the terminology of inorganic chemistry. They will learn to prepare written laboratory reports, present and discuss experimental research results orally, and maintain a laboratory notebook documenting their practical activities.
The course also aims to foster the critical thinking skills necessary to draw scientifically sound conclusions on topics related to inorganic chemistry. Students will be encouraged to use the teaching materials as a basis for critical and reasoned study, as well as a starting point for independent learning and further in-depth investigation.

The course has the course of Fondamenti di Chimica Generale ed Inorganica as prerequisite. The course will refer to basic concepts and aspects covered in the courses of Fondamenti di Chimica Fisica and Termodinamica, cinetica e aspetti energetici

Lectures and classroom exercises with collegial discussion. Theoretical lessons related to practical experiences, laboratory exercises aimed at applying basic concepts of inorganic chemistry and collegial discussion. The student will have to fill in a laboratory notebook and will work in groups both in carrying out laboratory experiences and in preparing a written report on the work done. Specific material will be made available to the student for the preparation for the practical activities and for independent learning.
The ongoing learning will be verified with classroom exercises and collegial discussion. The theoretical part of the course is completed by the laboratory part and therefore many of the theoretical concepts will be taken up in the laboratory exercises: the control of ongoing learning will be carried out through the discussion of experimental results at the end of laboratory experiences and collegial discussions.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities

Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

INORGANIC CHEMISTRY: Written exam (2 hours of time) consisting of 16 questions with 4 answers each to be verified independently (TRUE / FALSE) to be integrated with an open answer of 5-6 lines to complement and integrate the choices done above. Each item can be evaluated up to 2 points maximum. The questions will be chosen in order to cover the whole program so that the student can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts of inorganic chemistry and to know how to apply them. The level of difficulty corresponds to the programme carried out and the reference texts indicated. The written test is considered passed with a knowledge of the basic concepts corresponding to a score of not less than 18 points (18/30). The maximum score will be achieved by demonstrating the acquisition of all the knowledge and skills / abilities indicated. This exam format allows for the assessment of theoretical knowledge of inorganic chemistry (correct identification of the correct answers), the ability to integrate and apply them (with examples and textual integration), the acquisition of correct scientific language (for example, in the description of graphs and reaction mechanisms), and independent judgment (through the requirement to make choices and express critical judgments). Up to 6 points will be added to the score achieved with the written exam related to: 1) oral study in the form of a short seminar based on 2 articles of the scientific literature; 2) theoretical aspects on laboratory activity and characterization techniques ; 3) insights on laboratory activities. The additional score can be a maximum of 5 points (5/30) if the test is carried out in Italian, n. 6 points (6/30) if carried out in English. An additional point (1 point) will be awarded if a comprehensive report about the lab activities will be delivered. This evaluation method will allow to evaluate the theoretical knowledge acquired, the ability to apply them to real cases, the ability to choose and perform characterization methods and critically analyze the results obtained, the communication skills in exposing the work done, the learning-by-doing skills. The achievement of all the skills and abilities listed (see expected learning outcomes) results in the maximum score. LABORATORY: Attendance at the laboratory is mandatory and the student will have to keep a laboratory notebook to develop the ability to describe an experience carried out and collect data correctly. The student will have to integrate the notebook with a critical analysis of the results obtained in the experiences to develop the ability to draw conclusions from the experiences carried out.

INORGANIC CHEMISTRY: The course covers the following fundamental topics. Distribution of inorganic elements in nature, raw materials and global resources. Basic concepts of Geology and Mineralogy of global mineral resources. Properties, chemistry and compounds of: Li, Na, Ca, Al, C, Si, P, S and other elements relevant for the ecological transition.
Transition metals: properties, oxidation states, Latimer, Frost and Pourbaix diagrams. Coordination bond theories: symmetry, group theory, molecular orbitals. Coordination compounds: acid-base reactions according to Lewis; Pearson's HSAB principle, aqueous complexes. Formation constants. Chelating effect and internal complexes. Stoichiometry and geometry of complexes. CF theory and LF theory: octahedral, tetrahedral and square planar geometry complexes; high and low spin complexes; magnetic properties. Jahn-Teller effect; electronic spectra and spectrochemical series. -donor,-donor and -acceptor ligands. EAN rule. Reactivity of complexes: effect of complexation on redox potentials of metal cations. Elementary mechanisms of substitution in complexes. Organometallic compounds: binary metal-carbonyl compounds, most common organic binders, metallocenes. Radiochemistry: nuclear stability, nuclear emissions, decay, balancing of nuclear reactions, main families of natural radioisotopes, particle detectors, non-military applications of nuclear fission, enrichment in 235-U, radioactive waste. Basic concepts on the use of isotopes in medicine. A part of the course will be devoted to the scientist in Chemistry, to gender balance aspects and the role of women in Science. LABORATORY: the course aims to provide the essential elements to complete the knowledge of inorganic chemistry already illustrated in the theoretical course (crystal field theory vs molecular orbitals, formation constants, chelating effect, characterization techniques applied to complexes) integrating them at the level of explanation and use with fundamentals of characterization techniques (XPS, Auger, XRD, vibrational spectroscopies, electron microscopies thermal analyses) and typical methods of green chemistry (hydro and solvothermal methods, mechanochemistry, ultrasonic and microwave techniques). The course will be divided into a part describing the laboratory experiences (with the explanation of the key steps of the reactions to be performed and the illustration of some techniques that will be used) and a more properly experimental part. In the latter, a series of experiences will be performed by all students in rotation and divided into small groups of two or three people. Some materials and coordination compounds will be synthesized both by traditional means and by alternative methods (mechanochemistry, microwave, ultrasounds, light assisted). For some of them, characterization will be carried out by techniques such as UV-visible, IR/Raman, NMR, XRD and TGA evaluating formation constants and stoichiometry. Effective ways to write the laboratory notebook and a scientific report and how to use the teaching material for future study will be presented.

Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of the properties of inorganic elements and their compounds, transition metals and coordination compounds; knowledge of crystal field theory vs molecular orbitals, of the chelating effect, of the formation constant, of the basic principles of synthesis and characterization techniques; basic knowledge of radiochemistry, Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: ability to apply theoretical knowledge to solving simple inorganic chemistry exercises; ability to collect data correctly and to keep a laboratory notebook; ability to apply theoretical knowledge to the execution and understanding of laboratory experiments and to the interpretation of the results obtained. Making judgments: ability to critically evaluate the concepts learned; ability to critically analyze the results obtained in practical experiences, identifying any errors and proposing solutions. Communication skills: ability to present topics related to inorganic chemistry with appropriate scientific language to be able to express themselves in a precise, concise and clear way; ability to report on the work done (and more generally on chemical-scientific topics) in a precise, concise and clear manner, both in writing and orally; ability to effectively write the laboratory notebook and a scientific report. Acquisition of appropriate scientific language. Learning skills: ability to use the teaching material for a critical and reasoned study, also for a subsequent autonomous acquisition of superior knowledge and for continuous updating. In particular, autonomous learning will be stimulated through the request for an in-depth study of one of the topics covered.