GENERAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II AND LAB EXPERIENCES

Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: Guglielmo Guido CONDORELLI

Expected Learning Outcomes

To give a basic knowledge of Inorganic Chemistry with particular attention to the elements of the s and p groups and to integrate the basic concepts of fundamental chemistry with specific arguments (structure of solids, solubility equilibrium, and electrochemistry).

The aim is to give basic knowledge of electrochemistry and inorganic systems and some practical skills in order to solve simple problems.

 Knowledge and understanding: Basic knowledge of electrochemistry and inorganic chemistry of the main groups

Applied knowledge and understanding: Ability to apply theoretical notions in laboratory exercises and in problems of electrochemistry and solubility.

Autonomy of judgment: Students learn to objectively evaluate what they have learned during the course in order to evaluate the most suitable solutions for a chemical problem.

Communication Skills: Students acquire communication skills to clearly and rigorously describe a scientific problem.

Learning skills: Learning skills are assessed through laboratory experiences, written tests, and oral exams.

Course Structure

This module which is organized through lectures(3 CFU), exercises and lab practice (3CFU) gives the needed information to understand the chemical behaviour of some simple inorganic systems.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Required Prerequisites

Basic physics and math. Fundaments of Inorganic Chemistry. Module I.

Detailed Course Content

Theoretical lessons (3 CFU)

Electrochemistry

·     Basic on the electrochemical cells. Conductors of I and II species. Voltaic cells. Galvanic semielements. Hydrogen electrodes and standard electrode. Electrochemical series. Free energy and electrical work. Nerst law. Electrochemical cells.  Electrochemistry products and Faraday laws.

Structure of solids and solubility

•      Structure of solids. Classification of solids. Ionic and covalent solids.Ionic bond: lattice energy and Madelung constant. Structure of solids: amorphous and crystalline solids. Structures and properties of metals.

·    Solid solubility in water.   Solubility. Energy of the solubility process. Low solubility salt. Solubility equilibrium and solubility product.

Chemistry of s-p elements

•  Introduction to the elements and periodic properties. Main groups: Hydrogen and groups  1°-2° and 13°-18°. General characteristics of the elements of the main groups. Natural abudance. Reactivity of the elements.  Preparation methods. Compounds with hydrogen, oxygen and alogens. Salts and other compounds

Preliminary notions on transition metals and coordination compounds 

Exercise and Lab practice (3 CFU)

- Applications of the Nerst low and calcule of the f.e.m.  pH effects..

-Application of the Faraday law.

-Exercises on solubility equilibrioum. Effect of common ions. Effects of the pH

Laboratoy practice :

•      preparation of Daniel cell and concentration effects.

•       Water electrolisis and Faraday law

•      Preparation of KNO3 (salnitro)

•      Determination of the solubility product of  CaSO4×2H2O

•     Recognition and separation of the anions of the 2° group

•      Recognition of the following anions  Cl-, Br-and I-

•      Preparation of the sylver-amonia complex and detemination of the complexation constant.

Textbook Information

•1. On-line slides : http://studium.unict.it/

•2  Bertini, Luchinat, Mani «Chimica Inorganica» Ambrosiana 

•3. John Kotz, Paul M. Treichel, John R. Townsend “Chimica”, EdiSES

•4. Petrucci, Harwood, Herring, “Chimica Generale”, Piccin

•5. A cura di M. Speranza “Chimica Generale e Inorganica”, edi-ermes”

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Electrochemistry: galvanic cellsslides; texts 3-5
2Galvanic semielements and standard potentialslides; texts 3-5
3Nerst lawslides; texts 3-5
4Electrochemical cells.  Faraday Lawslides; texts 3-5
5Structure of solidsslides; texts 3-5
6Solubility equilibriaslides; texts 3-5
7Chemistry of the elementsslides; texts 3-5
8Hydrogenslides; texts 2
9Elements of s-p groups: 1° and 2° and from 13° to 18°slides; texts 2
10Laboratory experiencesslides

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

 Written exam (problems and questions on topics of General Chemistry: electrochemistry and solvency balances) + oral exam (on all the topics of the course).


Exams can also be carried out electronically, should the conditions require it.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Principles of galvanic cells
 Types of galvanic semi-elements
 Meaning of potential standards
 Principles of electrochemical cells
 Describe the factors affecting solubility
 Describe the relationships between solid structure and solubility
 Discuss the following group