Corso di laurea in Chimica e Tecnologie Chimiche

The course is divided into a few lectures and for the most part consists of
practical exercises and aims to experimentally examine the chemistry of
the transition metals and their complexes, to broaden the manual of
laboratory and to illustrate the application of some techniques of
structural and functional characterization (spectroscopic nature and not)
in order to extend the capabilities of interpretation of scientific data by
the students. Students will be provided with the fundamental principles of the chemistry
of coordination compounds: bonding, coordination number, isomerism,
nomenclature, electronic structure, magnetic properties and optical
properties, stability and reactivity. Mention of technological applications
and more recently the development of coordination compounds.

At the end of the course the student will be able to work in the laboratory, increase the knowkedge and practice with the procedures, terminology and typical methods of a chemical inorganic laboratory for analysis and synthesis, including the properties of the transition metals in aqueous solution. Such properties previously studied at the theoretical level (eg redox, solubility, spectroscopic, etc ...) will find experimental confirmation, helping to transfer the theoretical knowledge into practical knowledge. The student should be able to: prepare, purify and analyze qualitatively the inorganic complexes with spectroscopic techniques. In
addition to the common techniques of heating, filtration, etc.. the student will be able to mount and use glassware with standard joints. At the end of the course the student will know how to prepare the samples for recording infrared spectra (both in solid form, such as tablets halides of alkali metals, both in the liquid state as a movie and as solutions, using
the appropriate cells), ultraviolet spectra of visible-in solution, magnetic susceptibility and NMR spectra.

Detailed explanation in the class of the practical experiences to be
executed in the lab. Electronic spectroscopy of metal complexes.
Introduction to the use of other techniques suitable for the
characterization of metal complexes. Synthesis and purification of
transition metal complexes through the common strategies of inorganic
synthesis.
Synthesis are chosen on order to demonstrate: different oxidation states
of the elements, kind of ligand, coordination modes, chelation effects,
geometric, bond and optical isomerism. Reactivity of ligands coordinated
to metals of the first transition series. Evaluation of the kinetic and
thermodynamic stability of some coordination compounds. Structural
characterisation of the synthesized complexes through spectroscopic (
UV-VIS, FT-IR, NMR) and other (mass spectrometry, magnetic
susceptivity, electrochemical measurements) techniques. Analysis and
discussion of the results. Final lesson: survey and comment of the whole
experimental work.

The written exam will consist of assessment of the comprehension of the procedures followed during the lab, and of the theoretical basis concerning the experiences performed. The result of the exam is expressed in thirties.

The course material presented in class is available from the teachers.