Ateneo - UPO

The course focuses on the study of transition metals, their properties, formation and reactivity of coordination compounds and organometallic compounds, reaction mechanisms. Elements of nuclear chemistry, and introduction to nucleogenesis.

The following texts of inorganic chemistry are recommended: - G. L. Miessler, D. A. Tarr, Chimica inorganica, Piccin - P. W. Atkins, T. Overton, J. Rourke, M. Weller, F. Armstrong, Chimica inorganica, Zanichelli - Housecroft, Sharp, Chimica Inorganica, Piccin (Ed. italiana sulla V edizione inglese) - All slides of the course are available on DIR

The student must acquire solid basis on the properties of the transition metals and their complexes, their magnetic and optical characteristics and main industrial applications. Moreover, the student will acquire the ability to apply the knowledge to solve simple exercises. Among the communication skills the students will be able to use a suitable chemical vocabulary in relation to the course topics and methods. Autonomy of judgment: the students will acquire the capacity to make critical analysis and comparative choices.

General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry I

Teaching in classroom with theoretical lessons and exercises with collective discussion.

Learning in progress will be verified through exercises and group discussions. The theoretical part of the course will be integrated with the laboratory part; therefore, many of the theoretical concepts will be used in the laboratory sessions.
- 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/servicesstudents-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.

Written exam of 2 hours consisting of 6 open questions about theory and its application (max 4 points each). The questions will be chosen so that the entire program is covered (in turn the subjects will cover: bond theories, HSAB theory, catalysis, CF or MO theory of complexes, isomers, Pourbaix diagrams, radiochemistry, organometallic compounds, chelating ligands, etc.), so that the student can demonstrate to know, understand and apply the basic concepts of the inorganic chemistry. The difficulty level of the exercises corresponds to the program and the reference texts indicated. The written test will be passed with the knowledge of the basic concepts corresponding to a sum of the scores not less than 13 points (13/30). The highest grade will be obtained showing the acquisition of all the knowledge and abilities/capacities indicated. This kind of exam verify the theoretical knowledge of inorganic chemistry and their applications, and the ability to use a suitable scientific language and the autonomy of judgment (making choices and expressing critical judgments). Additional points relative to the laboratory report will be added to the score achieved with the written exam (see Syllabus of the joined course).

The course covers the following fundamental topics. Bond theories: symmetry, group theory, molecular orbitals. Transition metals: properties, oxidation states; Latimer, Frost and Pourbaix diagrams. Coordination compounds: acid-base reactions according to Lewis; HSAB principle of Pearson, aqua-complexes. Calculation of formation constants. Effect of chelation. Stoichiometry and geometry of the complexes. LF and CF Theory: geometry of the complexes: octahedral, tetrahedral and square planar; high and low spin complexes; magnetic properties. Jahn-Teller effect; electronic spectra and spectrochemical series. S-donor, p-donor and p-acceptor ligands. EAN rule. Reactivity of the complexes: effect of complexation on the redox potentials of metal cations. Mechanisms of substitution in the complexes. Organometallic compounds: binary metal carbonyl compounds, most common organic ligands. metallocenes. Metal clusters. Radiochemistry: nuclear stability, nuclear emissions, decays, nuclear reactions, main families of natural radionuclides, peaceful uses of nuclear fission, 235-uranium enrichment, radioactive wastes.

Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of the properties of transition metals and coordination compounds; basic knowledge of radiochemistry and organometallic chemistry. Applying knowledge and Understanding: ability to apply the theory in the solution of simple exercises of inorganic chemistry. Making judgements: skill to critically evaluate the concepts learnt. Communication skills: ability to describe subjects of inorganic chemistry with a suitable scientific language to express themselves in a precise, concise and clear manner.