CHIMICA GENERALE ED INORGANICA II E LABORATORIO

The aim is to provide students with a basic understanding of Inorganic Chemistry, with particular reference to the s- and p-block elements and their industrial applications, and to integrate this with specific topics from General Chemistry (solid-state structure, solubility equilibria, electrochemistry: galvanic cells and electrolytic processes).

The objective is to provide students with knowledge of electrochemistry and inorganic systems, and the skills to apply this knowledge to simple practical cases.

• Knowledge and understanding: Basic knowledge of electrochemistry and of the inorganic chemistry of the main group elements.
• Applying knowledge and understanding: Ability to apply theoretical knowledge during laboratory sessions and to solve problems related to electrochemistry and solubility.
• Making judgements: Students learn to objectively assess what they have learned during the course, in order to identify the most appropriate solutions to a chemical problem.
• Communication skills: Students develop communication skills to clearly and rigorously describe a scientific problem.
• Learning skills: Learning skills are assessed through laboratory work, a written exam, and an oral exam.

Information for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD)
In compliance with current regulations and to ensure equal opportunities, students may request a personal meeting in order to plan any compensatory measures based on the learning objectives and their specific needs.

This module which is organized through lectures(3 CFU), exercises and lab practice (1+2 CFU) 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.

Theory (3 credits)

Solids and Solubility

Energetics of the dissolution process. Crystalline and amorphous solids. Classification of solids according to the type of bonding. Ionic and covalent solids. Lattice energy and Madelung constant.

Sparingly soluble salts. Solubility equilibria and solubility product. Common-ion effect and effect of pH.

Electrochemistry

General principles of electrochemical cells. Voltaic cells. Galvanic half-cells. Types of half-cells. Standard hydrogen electrode and standard electrode potentials. Electrochemical series. Gibbs free energy and electrical work. Nernst equation. Cells and batteries. Primary and rechargeable batteries.

Electrolytic cells. Prediction of electrolysis products and Faraday’s laws. Industrial processes: electrolytic cells in metallurgy and hydrogen production.

Chemistry of s- and p-Block Elements

General aspects of the elements and periodic properties. Systematic chemistry of the main-group elements. Hydrogen and Groups 1–2 and 13–18. General characteristics of the elements of each group. Natural abundance. Reactivity of the elements in their elemental forms. Main preparation methods. Compounds with hydrogen, oxygen, and halogens. Salts and other important compounds.

Introduction to Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds

Exercises and Laboratory (1 + 2 credits)

Exercises

Sparingly soluble salts. Solubility equilibria and solubility product.

Calculations involving the solubility of sparingly soluble salts. Common-ion effect. Effect of pH on solubility.

Calculation of the electromotive force (EMF) of galvanic cells. Applications of the Nernst equation. Effect of pH.

Applications of Faraday’s laws.

Laboratory Experiments

·          Determination of the solubility product of CaSO₄·2H₂O.

·          Assembly of a galvanic cell. Daniell cell and concentration cells. Effect of concentration on the cell potential.

·          Electrolysis of water. Determination of the overpotential required for electrolysis. Relationship between the amounts of hydrogen and oxygen produced and Faraday’s laws.

·          Identification and separation of Group II cations.

·          Identification and separation of Cl⁻, Br⁻, and I⁻ anions.

·          Preparation of the silver–ammonia complex and determination of its formation constant.

•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”

Exams can also be carried out remotely, should circumstances require it.

Solving exercises on the application of the Nernst equation and Faraday’s laws.
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