Chemical Sciences

STEFANO STRANGES

1) Completion of the basic preparation provided by the previous courses of General Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry I, concerning the characteristics and properties of inorganic compounds and coordination compounds. Acquisition of the fundamental concepts and knowledge necessary for a modern description of the electronic structure of model molecules and coordination compounds, including the use of the basic concepts of group theory, and the knowledge of the experimental photoemission techniques. Achieving a basic knowledge of the properties of the elements of d and f blocks and their most significant compounds. Acquisition of knowledge of the basic concepts of nuclear chemistry and some of their applications.
2) Ability to apply the symmetry criteria deriving from group theory for the determination of the symmetry of molecules, orbitals and groups of orbitals in order to set the process necessary for the construction of molecular orbitals in simple molecules and in coordination compounds. Ability to apply the knowledge acquired in the field of chemical bond theories in order to predict, evaluate and describe the chemical and chemical-physical properties of coordination compounds based on their molecular formula. Ability to discern which basic spectroscopic technique is most suitable for the investigation of certain chemical-physical characteristics of inorganic compounds. Ability to evaluate the stability and reactivity of nuclei based on their position in the periodic table and their mass number.
3) The critical ability and autonomy of judgment on scientific topics of the course are stimulated during the lectures through the proposition of examples and conceptual exercises developed on the blackboard with direct reference to concrete situations and requiring a direct contribution from the students, who are stimulated to formulate hypotheses in response to the teacher's questions. At the same time, the ability to link different concepts is stimulated in the students by trying to emphasize the common features between the various topics of the course, so as to consolidate a logical path between the various concepts, necessary to develop a global critical vision of the proposed inorganic compounds. The course does not include laboratory exercises and written reports.
4) The students are encouraged to formulate questions and doubts to the teacher in a more detailed and precise way, so as to improve first of all the communication of what the student believes needs clarification. The ability to communicate the knowledge learned is stimulated by the teacher continuously through the description "in words" of the concepts expressed through chemical and mathematical formalism on the blackboard and the translation into examples related to concrete situations. Particular emphasis is given by the teacher in the translation in simple but at the same time rigorous terms of concepts associated with course topics.
5) In the course some conceptual tools are provided that students can use and develop autonomously in other areas of Chemistry during their training path. For example, the use of the basic concepts of group theory applied to solve problems in various types of quantum-mechanical spectroscopies and computational methods. In order to improve the ability to continue the study independently, during the course the students are recommended to read in-depth texts and complementary materials.

Acquisition of the fundamental concepts and knowledge necessary for a modern description of the electronic structure of model molecules and coordination compounds, including the use of the basic concepts of group theory, and the knowledge of the experimental photoemission techniques.
Achieving a basic knowledge of the properties of the elements of d and f blocks and their most significant compounds.
Acquisition of knowledge of the basic concepts of nuclear chemistry and some of their applications.
Ability to apply the symmetry criteria deriving from group theory for the determination of the symmetry of molecules, orbitals and groups of orbitals in order to set the process necessary for the construction of molecular orbitals in simple molecules and in coordination compounds.
Ability to apply the knowledge acquired in the field of chemical bond theories in order to predict, evaluate and describe the chemical and chemical-physical properties of coordination compounds based on their molecular formula.
Ability to discern which basic spectroscopic technique is most suitable for the investigation of certain chemical-physical characteristics of inorganic compounds.
Ability to evaluate the stability and reactivity of nuclei based on their position in the periodic table and their mass number.

Basics of inorganic chemistry, namely on the chemical bond according to the valence band theory and the VSEPR method. Periodic properties of elements.

Chemical applications of Group Theory. Electronic structure of omo- and etero-nuclear biatomic molecules. Electronic structure of polyatomic molecules. Determination of electronic configuration from experimental spectra: basics of photoemission techniques and applications to simple molecules. Transition elements: general characteristics and comparison between the series. Systematics in transition elements. Coordination compounds: valence bond theory, crystal field theory. Spectrochemical series, low- and high-spin complexes. Molecular orbital theory, applications to octahedral, square-planar and tetrahedral complexes. Ligand field theory (hints). Structures and isomerism. Organometallic chemistry: carbonyl oand nitrosil complexes, hydride complexes, olefin and metallocen complexes. Basics of lantanides. Nuclear chemistry: atomic nucleus, natural decays, mass defect and nuclear stability, induced decays and nuclear reactions, nuclear fission and nuclear plants. Nuclear fusion.

J. E. Huheey, E. A. Keiter, R. L. Keiter, CHIMICA INORGANICA, Piccin
J. D. Lee, CHIMICA INORGANICA, Piccin
G. L. Miessler, D. A. Tarr, CHIMICA INORGANICA, Piccin
F. A. Cotton, LA TEORIA DEI GRUPPI IN CHIMICA, Tamburini Editore
F. A. Cotton, CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS OF GROUP THEORY, Wiley

Attendance to lessons takes place in the classroom

Attendance to lessons takes place in the classroom

Oral exam consisting in answering three general questions on the main parts described by the given lectures of the course on the following subjects:
1) Coordination chemistry;
2) Nuclear Chemistry;
3) electronic structure of model molecules, MO-LCAO method applied to molecular systems based on the Group Theory, experimental methods and basic principles of photoelectron spectroscopy.

The questions are of a general nature on fundamental topics covered in the theoretical lessons.