Learning objectives
The aim of this course is to provide the fundamental concepts in order to interpret and rationalize the properties, reactivity and structure of the elements and their compounds.
Course unit content
The origin of the elements. Reduction potentials. Redox stability in water. The diagrammatic presentation of potential data. Chemical extraction of the elements. Atomic parameters: atomic size, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity, polarizability. Molecular structure. The structures of solids: metals, ionic compounds, alloys. Bronsted acidity and Lewis acidity. Hard-soft theory for acids and bases. Coordination chemistry: types of complexes, representative ligands. Coordination numbers and stereochemistry. Stuctural isomerism and stereochemical isomerism. Nature of the coordination bond: crystal-field theory, valence-bond theory, molecular orbital theory, ligand-field theory. Optical and magnetic properties of complexes. Stabilities of oxidation states of the metal as a function of ligand. Elements of the s- and p-blocks: general features, natural resource, properties and preparations of simple compounds (hydrides, oxides and related compounds, hydroxides, sulfides, halides, oxoacids, compounds of oxoacids), solubility and hydration. Electronic spectra of atoms. Electronic spectra of d-metal complexes(3d-series elements).
Bibliography
I. Bertini, C. Luchinat, F. Mani. Chimica Inorganica. C. E. A. (MI)
J.E. Huheey, E.A. Keiter, R.L.Keiter. Chimica Inorganica, principi, strutture, reattività. PICCIN (PD).
Shriver & Atkins. Inorganic Chemistry. Fourth edition. Oxford University Press.