Ateneo - UPO

The course consists of a theoretical part and a laboratory part. The theoretical course is focused on the study of the chemistry of inorganic elements, transition metals and their inorganic and organometallic compounds.
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 course consists of a descriptive part based on laboratory techniques and practical session with a series of experiences related to the synthesis ans characterisation of inorganic, coordination and metal-organic compounds, sided by the discussion of results 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

Knowledge and Understanding of Inorganic Chemistry and Radiochemistry: understanding of the properties and chemical behavior of inorganic elements (main groups and transition metals) and their compounds, including aspects of acidity/basicity, redox properties, coordination bonding (crystal field theory and molecular orbitals, chelating effect, reaction kinetics and thermodynamics), as well as notions of radiochemistry, industrial applications, and environmental impact.
Practical and Instrumental Skills: ability to correctly perform laboratory unit operations, synthesis procedures, purification, and characterization of inorganic compounds and materials, also applying the basic principles of various spectroscopic techniques (IR, Raman, NMR, fluorescence), X-ray diffraction, chromatography, and titrations, in order to draw conclusions on experimental results.
Critical Analysis and Independent Judgment Skills: ability to critically analyze and make comparative decisions in relation to the topics covered, using the provided material for thoughtful study, solving simple exercises, and developing the ability to independently draw conclusions on the results of experiments and related issues, fostering learning.
Communication Skills and Specific Vocabulary: use of appropriate chemical vocabulary in relation to the theoretical and practical topics of the course, and develop the ability to document, write, and orally discuss a report on the results obtained in the practical experiments, using correctly the laboratory notebook.

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 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.

The learning assessment consists of a written test and an oral exam.

Written test:
Structure: Consists of 16 multiple-choice questions (4 options per question, to be scored independently as TRUE/FALSE) and one open-ended question (5-6 lines) designed to integrate and expand on the choices made in the multiple-choice questions.
Duration: 2 hours.
Objective: To test knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts of inorganic chemistry and the ability to apply them, covering the entire syllabus.
Score: Each question is worth a maximum of 2 points, for a maximum total of 32 points.
Passing: The written exam is considered passed with a score of at least 18/32. This score corresponds to a basic understanding of the concepts.
Oral Exam:
The oral exam can add up to a maximum of 7 points to the written exam score (with an overall limit of 32/30 as cum laude mark).
Additional Components and Scores:
Oral Presentation (Short Seminar): Based on the in-depth analysis of two scientific literature articles, laboratory work, or related theoretical topics. Maximum score: 5 points.
Language: 1 additional point is awarded if the oral presentation (Short Seminar) is conducted in English.
Laboratory Report: 1 additional point is awarded if a comprehensive and critically reviewed laboratory report is submitted.
Laboratory (Mandatory):
Attendance: Attendance at laboratory activities is mandatory.
Laboratory Notebook: Students are required to keep a laboratory notebook to record experiments, collect data correctly, and, at the end of the activities, include a critical analysis of the results obtained and the conclusions drawn. The development of this skill is an integral part of the training program.
Overall Assessment Objectives:
This exam format aims to assess:
Theoretical knowledge of inorganic chemistry.
Ability to apply knowledge to real-world cases and solve problems.
Acquisition of correct scientific language.
Independent judgment (through open-ended responses and critical analysis).
Communication skills (through oral presentations).
Learning and critical analysis skills (through laboratory and Short Seminar).
The maximum score (30/30) is achieved by demonstrating acquisition of all the knowledge and skills/abilities indicated in the expected learning objectives.

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.
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. 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 typical methods of green chemistry (hydro and solvothermal methods, mechanochemistry, ultrasonic and microwave techniques). It 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, 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.
Gender aspects related to the research and science topics that are part of the program will be treated.

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.