CH-222 / 2 credits

Teacher: Queen Wendy Lee

Language: English


Summary

Fundamental knowledge of coordination compounds.

Content

Chapters 1-2, 4-5 are given in English. Chapter 3 is given in English.

1. Coordination complexes: concepts, nomenclature, structure and isomers

2. The preparation and stability of complexes: Ligand substitution, thermodynamic stability, hard-soft acid-base theory, structural aspects of stability

3. Bonding in coordination compounds: atomic orbitals (reminder), crystal filed theory, ligand field theory, molecular orbitals

4. Properties of coordination compounds: optical properties, explanation of electronic spectra, magnetic properties, magnetic measurements

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Recall typical ligands; name typical coordination compounds and describe their geometryJudge the existence of isomers and draw such isomers; Calculate the oxidation states of metals and the number of d electrons.
  • Apply soft-hard acid-base theory to predict the stability of complexes; interpret chelate effect; determine the relative stability of complexes according to structural factors.
  • Deduce the crystal field splitting diagram for octahedral, tetrahedral, and square planar complexes; decide the electronic configuration. Generate the ligand field diagram for octahedral complexes.
  • Decide if a complex is high spin or low spin using ligand field theory; understand and explain the spectrochemical series.
  • Estimate the spin-only magnetic moment of complexes according to ligand field theory; Determine whether an electronic transition is allowed and the intensity of such transition.

Assessment methods

1 compulsory test during the semester.

Final grade: 30% for test + 70% for final written exam

Supervision

Office hours Yes
Assistants Yes
Forum Yes

In the programs

  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Coordination chemistry
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: mandatory

Reference week

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