GENERAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II AND LAB EXPERIENCES

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 (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.

Theoretical lessons (3 CFU)

Electrochemistry

·     Basic on the electrochemical cells. Conductors of I and II species. Voltaic cells. Galvanic semielements. Hydrogen electrodes and standard electrodes. 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 abundance. Reactivity of the elements.  Preparation methods. Compounds with hydrogen, oxygen and halogens. Salts and other compounds

Preliminary notions on transition metals and coordination compounds 

Exercise and Lab practice (3 CFU)

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

-Application of the Faraday law.

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

Laboratoy practice :

•      preparation of Daniel cell and concentration effects.

•       Water electrolisis and Faraday law. Determination of oxygen and hydrogen produced.

•      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 silver-ammonia complex and determination of the complexation 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.

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