CVB201 Inorganic Chemistry
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CVB201 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | (CVB101 and CVB102) or ((CVB102 or CVB103 or CZB190) and admission to ST20) |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,118 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,680 |
| International unit fee | $5,760 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | CVB201 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | (CVB101 and CVB102) or ((CVB102 or CVB103 or CZB190) and admission to ST20) |
| Equivalent: | PQB331 |
| Anti-requisite: | PCB334 |
| Coordinator: | John McMurtrie | j.mcmurtrie@qut.edu.au |
Overview
The fascinating and diverse chemistry of transition metals and main group elements is explored in detail from the fundamentals of electronic structure and bonding through to metal complex structure, symmetry, isomerism and chirality, magnetism, reaction mechanisms and molecular orbital theory. Learning is enhanced through a range of practical laboratory activities that enable understanding of theory through experiment. Core laboratory skills in the handling and synthesis of a wide variety of metal complexes will be developed and techniques such as magnetometry, UV-visible spectroscopy and spectropolarimetry will be introduced and used to discern metal complex structure and function. The knowledge and skills developed in this unit underpin further studies in physical, organic and coordination chemistry.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the chemistry of inorganic compounds and transition metal complexes and the synthesis and integration of this knowledge through critical reasoning.
- Provide evidence of your appropriate expertise in quantitative and qualitative analysis of chemical data.
- Evaluate chemical data through critical self-reflection and written communication of experimental results and conclusions.
- Produce appropriate visual representations of chemical phenomena and data for presentation, communication and debate of conceptually difficult concepts.
- Demonstrate technical proficiency in the use of chemistry apparatus and equipment for the safe preparation of a range of inorganic compounds and transition metal complexes.
Content
This unit will commence by building on the foundation of chemistry provided in CVB101 and CVB102. You will revisit a number of topics previously introduced, but will build towards a deeper understanding of them through development of more complex scientific models and theories. This new understanding will then be applied to introduce you to the diverse array of inorganic and transition metal compounds with a focus on their interesting and unique chemical and physical properties. An overview of the topics covered follows.
Fundamental Concepts: Quantum theory, atomic absorption and emission, electronic structure and periodic trends in properties such as atomic and ionic size, ionisation energy and electronegativity.
Chemical Bonding: Theories of bonding with particular relevance to inorganic compounds and transition metal complexes including valence bond theory and orbital hybridisation, molecular orbital theory, coordination theory and crystal field theory.
Acid-Base Theory: Acid-Base chemistry will be explored, compared and contrasted for Brønsted, Lewis, and Hard/Soft acid-base (HSAB) theories.
Nuclear Properties and Reactions: Nuclear properties of the elements will be introduced including the common forms of natural radioactive decay as well as synthesis of elements through fission and fusion reactions of nuclides and the kinetic factors that describe their lifetimes.
Transition Metal Chemistry: The chemistry of the d-block transition metals and their complexes will be explored in detail to gain understanding of their structure, symmetry, isomerism, chirality and reactivity. Understanding of the characteristic optical and magnetic properties of transition metal complexes will be developed using modern spectroscopic techniques supported by theories of electronic structure and bonding developed earlier in the unit.
Descriptive Chemistry: The classical chemistry of inorganic compounds and transition metal complexes focussed on main group, 1st-3rd row transition metals and the f-block metals will be compared and contrasted.
Laboratory Skills: Laboratory exercises and workshops will provide knowledge and understanding of the correct methods for the experimental synthesis and handling of inorganic compounds, transition metal complexes and their characterisation using modern spectroscopic techniques.
Learning Approaches
This unit engages you in your learning through a complementary set of lectures (which may be offered online), workshops and practical laboratory exercises. You will develop your knowledge of inorganic and transition metal chemistry and have opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills to problem-based examples during interactive workshops and supervised practicals. Both content and organisation are designed for you to assess your progress in the unit and the course and for you to gather evidence of meeting unit and course outcomes.
Class contact in this unit is as follows.
Lectures (26 hours, 2 hours per week) - these may be offered online
Interactive lectures using interesting examples to demonstrate theory and concepts combined with problem solving exercises performed both individually and in groups with feedback and discussion with the larger class to provide a diverse range of learning experiences.
Practical work (24 hours, 8 x 3-hour sessions)
The practical program is designed to reinforce the practical skills you learnt in CVB101 and CVB102 as well as develop more advanced skills in the synthesis, isolation, purification and characterisation of inorganic compounds. Acquisition of the knowledge and skills for the the safe handling and use of organic and inorganic chemicals and reagents is emphasised.
Interactive Workshops (8 hours, 4 x 2 hours)
Interactive workshop sessions will provide opportunities for deeper exploration and revision of selected topics from the lecture program and laboratory exercises with particular emphasis on problem solving and the interpretation and reporting or experimental results.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
There will be extensive opportunity to assess your progress in the unit. By attendance and participation in the practical and workshop program, you will be able to assess your understanding of the lecture material. The informal atmosphere in the laboratory and interactive workshop tutorials means that you will have the opportunity for one-to-one feedback from your demonstrator. The lectures are also interactive and you will obtain feedback by participation in class discussions. The results that you obtain in the problem solving tasks in the workshops will provide ongoing feedback, in particular about your preparation for the final theory exam. All staff in the unit will be available for individual or small group consultation.
Assessment
Overview
The assessment in this unit comprises both formative and summative elements. Formative assessment will take the form of provision of model answers for summative tasks, practice problems with worked solutions, regular feedback on your practical workbook, and interactive discussions with your laboratory demonstrators and workshop tutors. Summative assessment will be achieved by the compilation of a portfolio comprising practical reports, workshop exercises as well as a scientific poster for presentation to the class and larger chemistry community at QUT. Also contributing to the summative assessment will be an end-of-semester theory examination providing the opportunity for you to demonstrate your understanding of concepts and problem solving skills.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Portfolio
The portfolio is a compilation of your laboratory practical and written exercises combined with interactive workshop exercises and includes the production and presentation of a scientific poster.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Examination (written)
An end-of-semester theory exam will cover content from all theory components of the unit.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Recommended textbooks and resources: Molecular Models: Molecular Models may be purchased in a package with the textbook.
Resource books containing useful information and tutorial exercises will be provided, together with details of recommended websites.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Housecroft CE and Sharpe AG (2008) Inorganic Chemistry, 3rd Edition, Pearson Education
Zubrick TW (2009) The Organic Chem Lab Survival Manual, 8th Edition, John Wiley & Sons
Risk Assessment Statement
The professional practice of Chemistry requires the safe handling of Hazardous Substances. A practical laboratory program is an important part of this unit, so you will be required to handle such substances. The chemicals and procedures used in this unit are deemed to be appropriate for students at this level of the course. You will undertake compulsory formal pre-laboratory assessment in Health and Safety matters relevant to the laboratory and QUT buildings in general. Health and Safety information and precautions relevant to the particular experiments are clearly explained in the Practical Manual. Having been provided with this advice, it is your responsibility to comply with all instructions, for the safety of yourself, your fellow students and staff.