6 ECTS credits
155 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1017278BNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Students must have followed ‘Chemistry: Structure of Matter and Chemical Reactions I’ and 'Chemistry: Structure of Matter and Chemical Reactions II', before they can enroll for ‘Inorganic Chemistry'.
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Department
Chemistry
Educational team
Frederik Tielens (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
26 contact hours Lecture
39 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

LECTURES :
Part 1. Fundamentals, theories and principles of inorganic chemistry.
- Atomic structure : Electron distribution of the elements - Hydrogenous atoms (radial distribution function, angular functions) - More electron atoms - Atomic properties (Covalent, ion and van der Waals radius, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity, charge capacity - hardness and softness)
- Molecular structure : Lewis structures and molecular shape : the VSEPR model - "Valence Bond" theory and the concept of hybridization - Molecular orbital theory (binding and antibinding orbitals, homonuclear diatomic molecules, heteronuclear diatomic molecules, ligand group orbital approach, polyatomic molecules)
- Structure of solids : sphere stacking, the unit cell and the description of crystal structures, structure of metals, ionic solids (characteristic structures of ionic solids, beam ratio, energetics of ionic bonding) - Zeolites - Molecular orbital theory of metals and semiconductors
- Acids and bases : Brønsted acidity - Hydrated cations - Oxoacids - Acidic and basic oxides - Polyoxo compounds - Lewis acids and bases - Systematics in Lewis acids and bases : hard and soft acids and bases
- Oxidation and reduction : Element extraction by oxidation or reduction - Redox potentials - Diagrammatic representation of redox potentials (Latimer, Frost and Pourbaix diagrams)
- d-metal complexes : Structures and symmetries - Bond formation and electronic structure (Crystal field theory -Ligand field theory) - organometallic compounds

WPO :
- Exercises : applications on the various concepts and principles of the course, visualisation exercises on the computer on solid matter (chapter 4). 
- Presentation : In this assignment the students have to choose a chemical element, look up the information about this element by themselves and give an oral presentation about it for about 15 min, with the help of computer.
- Practicals : Nitrogen and Oxygen Chemistry, Halogen Chemistry, Analysis of a Cr-Complex, Synthesis of Ag nanoparticles

 

Course material
Course text (Required) : Anorganische scheikunde, Deel I, F. De Proft, VUB, 2220170001159, 2015
Handbook (Recommended) : Shriver and Atkins' Inorganic Chemistry, Hoofdstukken 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 en 18, P. Atkins, T. Overton, J. Rourke, M. Weller, and F. Armstrong, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 9780198768128, 2018
Handbook (Recommended) : Chemical Applications of Group Theory, Hoofdstukken 3, 4 en 6, F.A. Cotton, 3de, Wiley-Interscience, 9780471510949, 1990
Digital course material (Required) : Transparanten hoorcolleges, Canvas
Course text (Required) : Syllabus Anorganisch Chemie, Deel II: Practicum en Oefeningen, F. Tielens, VUB, 2220170009957, 2023
Additional info

No extra additional information.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

Objectives :
In this course unit, students are introduced to the field of inorganic chemistry. An important objective for the student is to gain an understanding of the structure, properties and reactivity of inorganic compounds and solids. To this end, starting from the basic knowledge gained in the chemistry courses of the first year Bachelor of Chemistry, atomic structure and chemical bonding are further explored for multi-electron atoms, molecules and solids. Then acid-base reactions and redox reactions are also covered. Also covered are the d-block elements where, in addition to general properties, attention is paid to the bonding in transition metal ion complexes.  D-organometallic compounds are also discussed.
In the "systematic chemistry of the elements" section, in addition to a chapter on the element hydrogen, the chemical structure and properties of some representative p-block elements and their compounds are discussed, with attention to the vertical, horizontal and diagonal relationships in the periodic table.

In an assignment, dealing with the systematic chemistry of the elements, the student chooses an element or a group of elements (more specifically a metal or a group of metals not covered in the lecture) and has to look up, interpret and communicate (written and oral) information about this himself/herself.

Final Competencies :
- The student acquires ready knowledge on the following topics and can apply this knowledge :
   (a) main concepts, theories and laws of modern inorganic chemistry;
   (b) structure, bond formation and reactivity of inorganic compounds;
   (c) structure and chemistry of main group elements, transition metal complexes, and organometallic compounds;
- The student can assess the capabilities and limitations of certain models and develops a critical attitude toward implementing certain simplifications.
- The student can look up, interpret and communicate new basic knowledge related to the content of the course, both orally and in writing.
- The student is familiar with the necessary practical skills in experimental inorganic chemistry.

 

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 66% of the final mark.
LEC Practical Assignment determines 12% of the final mark.
PRAC Lab Work determines 22% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Part 1 HOC with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 66% of the final mark.

    Note: Score on questions dealing with Part 1 of the lecture.

Within the LEC Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Presentation & report with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 12% of the final mark.

    Note: An assignment on the "Systematic Chemistry of the Elements," based on an oral presentation and written report dealing with the properties and chemistry of a chemical element or group of elements selected by the student. Care is taken to cover the various regions of the periodic table.

Within the PRAC Lab Work category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Lab WPO with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 22% of the final mark.

    Note: Score on skills, attitude and reporting during the WPO

Additional info regarding evaluation

The assessment consists of the following assignment categories:
Written exam determines 66% of the final grade
HOC Practical assignment determines 12% of the final grade
WPO Lab work determines 22% of the final grade
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments must be completed:
- Part 1 Lecture counts for 66% of the total final grade.

Explanation: Score on questions concerning Part 1 of the lecture.
Within the category HOC Practical assignment the following assignments have to be completed:
- Presentation and report counts for 12% of the total final grade.

Explanation: An assignment concerning the "Systematic Chemistry of the Elements", based on an oral presentation and a written report dealing with the properties and chemistry of a chemical element or group of elements chosen by the student. In doing so, care is taken to address the various regions of the periodic table.

Within the WPO Lab Work category, one must complete the following assignments:
Lab Practica counts for 22% of the total final grade.

Explanation: Score for skills, attitude and reporting during the practical exercises

 

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Chemistry: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: biologie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: geografie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: fysica (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: wiskunde (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: ingenieurswetenschappen (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)