Chemical Sciences

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.