Advanced

Inorganic
Chemistry

Course Content

Introduction and bonding theories

Acid-Base & Donor-Acceptor Theory
Coordination chemistry
Organometallic chemistry
Bioinorganic & Environmental Chem
Nanochemistry; noncovalent interactions

1 - Intro to Inorganic
What is it?
Sub-fields:
main-group, coordination chemistry, organometallic, bioinorganic, physical
inorganic, heavy-metals, trans-uranium..

How does it compare to Organic Chemistry?

Compounds with single, double, triple bonds
Inorganic compounds can contain quadruple bonds
(sigma + pi + pi + delta bond)
[Cl4ReReCl4]2
Carbon: maximum number of connections = 4
Inorganic: carbon is found in carbon
cluster compounds,
in bridging alkyl groups

Chapter 1 - Intro to Inorganic

Organic: H is a terminal atom, only bonds to one
other element. Inorganic: The same rules do not
apply. Lewis structure of B2H6?
Organic: Limited geometries (linear, trigonal planar,
tetrahedral, bent). Inorganic: Also square planar,
trigonal bipyramid, octahedral, and more
Inorganic also has aromatic compounds (borazine
B 3N 3H 6)

The d orbitals

Unusual Aspects of Inorganic

Compounds
The use of d orbitals enables transition metals to
form quadruple bonds. Sigma () bonds can be
formed using p orbitals, or the dz2 orbitals.

Unusual Aspects of Inorganic

Compounds
Pi () bonds can be formed using the dxz and dyz
orbitals.

Unusual Aspects of Inorganic

Compounds
In addition, face-to-face overlap is possible
between the dxy orbitals on each metal. This
forms a delta () bond.

Unusual Aspects of Inorganic

Compounds
The existence of bonds is usually determined by
measuring bond lengths and magnetic moments.
[Re2Cl8]2- has a
quadruple bond
between the metal
atoms.

Unusual Aspects of Inorganic

Compounds
The coordination
number for transition
metals can be greater
than 4, with
coordination numbers
of 6 being quite
common. In addition,
4-coordinate metal
complexes need not
be tetrahedral.

Unusual Aspects of Inorganic

Compounds
When inorganic
compounds have
tetrahedral geometry,
it may be quite
different from organic
compounds. P4 has
tetrahedral geometry,
but lacks a central
atom.

Unusual Aspects of Inorganic

Compounds
Cluster compounds,
in which there are
metal-metal bonds
can be formed. The
structure of
Mn2(CO)10 has the
two Mn atoms directly
bonded to each other.

Unusual Aspects of Inorganic

Compounds
Cage compounds
lack a direct metalmetal bond. Instead,
the ligands serve to
hold the complex
together.

Unusual Aspects of Inorganic

Compounds
Organic molecules
may bond to
transition metals with
bonds or bonds.
If bonded, some
unusual sandwich
compounds may
result.

History of Inorganic Chemistry

Ancient times through Alchemy:
Descriptive chemistry, techniques, minerals (Cu
compounds), glasses, glazes, gunpowder

17th Century
Mineral acids (HCl, HNO3, H2SO4), salts and their reactions,
acid and bases
Quantitative work became important, molar mass, gases,
volumes
1869: The periodic table

Late 1800s: Chemical Industry

Isolate, refine, purify metals and compounds

1896: Discovery of Radioactivity

Atomic structure, quantum mechanics, nuclear chemistry
(through early 20th century)

History of Inorganic Chemistry

20th Century
Coordination chemistry, organometallic chemistry
WWII & Military projects: Manhattan project, jet fuels (boron
compounds)

1950s
Crystal field theory, ligand field theory, molecular orbital
theory

1955
Organometallic catalysis of organic reaction (polymerization
of ethylene)

Modern Issues
Bioinorganic chemistry (nitrogen fixation), modeling
biochemical process, enzymes, x-ray crystallography,
nanochemistry, manipulation of noncovalent interactions

Take a Look
Take a quick look:
What are the sub-fields?
What do you recognize, understand?
What looks foreign?