Course Description: Chem 250 is designed to provide a background in inorganic chemistry for chemical engineering students. You will be introduced to the periodic trends of many commercially viable elements. Differences between metals, semi-metals and non-metals will be discussed. The structural and chemical differences between different types of metals will be discussed as well. Bonding theories will be explored with respect to inorganic compounds/ complexes. Once the background information has been provided, the topics will be geared towards applications relevant to chemical engineering. Most of the applications will focus on metals and metal compounds in nature and the chemical industry.
Instructor: Dr. Vishakha Monga,
Office: Chemistry South B470A (inside the Inorganic Labs)
Office Hours:
- In-person Office hours: Tuesdays from 2-3pm in B470A (inside lab B470).
- Virtual office hours: Sundays 9-10pm - over piazza. Anonymous discussions on any topic of concern. If need be, I can open zoom sessions at that time as well.
Textbook: Required: https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/inorganicchemistrychem250/
Course Outline: (Subject to Change)
- Chemistry in context
- a. Periodic table and general trends
- b. Metals and metal compounds in nature
- c. Molecular vs. ionic compounds
- d. Redox chemistry
- Bonding theories
- a. Types of bonds – ionic, covalent, coordinate covalent
- b. Molecular orbital theory
- s-block elements – reactions and commercial applications.
- p-block elements
- a. Properties of semi-metals vs non-metals vs metals
- b. Periodic trends down the group
- c. Semiconductors industry
- d. Oxyacids and effect of oxyacid compounds on the environment (air/ water quality)
- e. Acid-base theory
- Transition metals and coordination chemistry
- a. d-block elements – transition metals
- b. Coordination compounds/ complexes
- c. Nomenclature and coordination geometry
- d. Thermodynamics of coordination compounds
- e. Solution chemistry and redox properties
- Commercial applications
- a. Water treatment
- b. Elements in biological systems – focus on toxic metals
- c. Catalysis
- d. Organometallics including hydrides and carbonyls
- e. Electrochemistry
- f. Batteries and fuel cells
- g. Hydrogen fuel cells
- h. Solar panels
- i. Semiconductor industry