The ability to perform air-free chemistry and catalytic reactions on an NMR tube scale are valuable skills in chemistry and not often included in undergraduate chemistry curriculum. This laboratory experiment provides students experience in synthesizing the metal complex, Ni(dcpe)(CH[subscript 3]CN)[subscript 2](BF[subscript 4])[subscript 2] (dcpe…

In a two-step synthesis starting with Ni(CH[subscript 3]COO)[subscript 2] ·4H[subscript 2]O and salicylaldehyde, students prepare Nethyl and N-isopropyl Ni(II) Schiff base (imine) complexes. After isolation and recrystallization, the products are characterized by room-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements, FTIR spectroscopy, and…

To understand critical problems associated with solid waste and its consequences for the environment, a laboratory experiment is presented on the synthesis of aluminum-based metal-organic framework (MOF) MIL-53(Al) from household waste (PET bottles and aluminum foil/can), for undergraduate students of chemistry. This work is designed to teach…

Quantum dots (QDs) are considered useful for demonstrating quantum phenomena in undergraduate laboratories due to their monodisperse size and excellent optical properties. Although doping has an increasingly important role in QD fabrication in the semiconductor field, it has rarely been discussed in the context of the undergraduate laboratory. In…

The comprehension of the reactivity of the elements is an important goal to be achieved in undergraduate courses in inorganic chemistry. Therefore, at Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), the B.Sc. in chemistry has a laboratory course dedicated to the chemistry of the elements. However, we have noticed a decrease in students' interest in…

An integrated pair of experiments has been developed to introduce undergraduate students to the ways in which electrochemistry can complement conventional synthetic chemistry involving redox reactions. Students first use cyclic voltammetry and linear scan voltammetry to characterize and quantify the products of the reaction between…

Inorganic phosphors are the main component of light emitting diodes which have caused the revolution in lighting industry as an energy-efficient and long-lasting replacement of traditional incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent tubes. They are also used in various consumer products and displays and can potentially find applications in…

[superscript 31]P{[superscript 1]H} nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a particularly useful tool for studying the reactions of P-donor ligands such as phosphines and phosphites with transition metals and other Lewis bases because the reactions take place on the nonbonding pair of electrons on the phosphorus. In addition, [superscript 31]P…

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized and stabilized using ammonium cations or poly(vinyl alcohol) to produce amazing materials such as safer aqueous ferrofluids, ferrogels, ferromagnetic inks, plastics, and nanopowders illustrating how versatile materials can be produced just by simple modifications. The synthesis is fast, reliable,…

A research-based inorganic chemistry laboratory course is described. Using the defined protocol of a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE), students undertake a self-designed research project to identify new catalysts for the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane. Students select ligands and metals, prepare and characterize catalysts…

Electronic spectra often exhibit vibronic structure when vibrational and electronic transitions occur in concert. Theory reveals (1) that orbital symmetry considerations determine specific roles played by the nuclear degrees of freedom and (2) that the vibrational excitation is often highly regiospecific, that is, attributable to an identifiable…

In this experiment, students perform an air-free synthesis of three dichlorophosphinenickel(II) compounds, NiCl[subscript 2](PPh[subscript 3])[subscript 2], NiCl[subscript 2](PCy[subscript 3])[subscript 2], and NiCl[subscript 2](DPPE), using NiCl[subscript 2]·6H[subscript 2]O and the appropriate phosphine as the precursors. These colorful nickel…

A laboratory experiment for students in advanced inorganic chemistry is described. In this experiment, students prepare two metal complexes with a potentially bidentate-carbene ligand. The complexes are synthesized by reaction of a bisimidazolium salt with silver(I) oxide or palladium(II) acetate. Silver and palladium complexes are binuclear and…

As the need for alternative energy becomes increasingly important, energy research and related industries are rapidly expanding. This lab incorporates current energy-storage research into a second-year lab that instills real-world, industry-relevant knowledge and skills while teaching and reinforcing physical-chemistry concepts. A manganese oxide…

Semiconductors are an important class of materials; preparing ZnO nanorods allows semiconducting properties to be easily observed. The week before lab, groups of four students take 15 min to setup two fluorine-doped tin oxide glass (FTO) slides in a zinc nitrate and hexamethylenetetramine solution stored at 90°C until the next lab. Hexagonal ZnO…