[Summary of the lecture] This course covers fundamental concepts of group theory and its application to inorganic chemistry, in particular to determine the physical and chemical properties of a molecule on the basis of its structure.
[Aim of the lecture] The concept of symmetry is of the greatest importance in inorganic chemistry, since it helps to determine the physical and chemical properties of a molecule, such as mode of vibration and molecular orbitals, without any complicated calculations. This course focuses on the use of the group theory to the classification of the molecules, constructing molecular orbitals, and analyzing molecular vibrations and their selection rules. Students understand that symmetry considerations can be used to predict physical and chemical properties of a molecule.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) explain the symmetry operations, which leaves a molecule apparently unchanged and associated symmetry elements.
2) determine the point groups of molecules on the basis of their structure.
3) explain the physical and chemical properties of a molecule by the use of character tables.
4) construct of molecular orbitals from symmetry adapted linear combinations of atomic orbitals.
symmetry, symmetry operations, symmetry elements, point groups, character tables, symmetry labels, symmetry adapted linear combinations of atomic orbitals, molecular vibration, molecular orbital
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
This lecture will proceeds in the following order: (1) the basic concepts of the group theory (2) assignment of a molecule to a particular point group (3) prediction of physical and chemical properties of a molecule by the use of character tables, such as analyzing molecular vibrations and their selection rules, construction of molecular orbitals by using symmetry adapted linear combinations of atomic orbitals. In the last day, final examination is set to assess the level of understanding.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Molecular symmetry; symmetry operations and symmetry elements | Explain symmetry operations and symmetry elements of a molecule. |
Class 2 | The point group of molecules | Assign a molecule to a particular point group on the basis of its structure. |
Class 3 | Character tables and symmetry labels | Explain the characters, symmetry labels, and character tables. |
Class 4 | Applications of symmetry: molecular vibrations | Determine the mode of molecular vibrations on the basis of its structure. |
Class 5 | Projection operation and the symmetry adopted linear combination (SALC) | Explain the symmetry adopted linear combination. |
Class 6 | Applications of symmetry: The construction of molecular orbitals | Construct molecular orbitals from the symmetry adopted linear combination of atomic orbitals. |
Class 7 | Applications of symmetry: Crystal field theory | Explain the crystal field splitting of an octahedral complex based on the symmetry adopted linear combination of six ligands. |
Class 8 | Practice problems to assess the level of understanding and explanation of the answers | Understand the course contents and solve practice problems. |
P. Atkins, T. Overton, J. Rourke, M. Weller, F. Armstrong, "Inorganic Chemistry", 5th Ed., Oxford University Press; ISBN: 978-0199236176.
1) None required.
2) All materials used in class can be found on OCW-i.
Final examination (70%), level of class participation (30%) which is assessed by small quizzes and so on.
No prerequisites are necessary, but enrollment in the related courses (Inorganic Chemistry I (Bonding) (CAP.B221), Inorganic Chemistry II (Chemical Reactions and Structures of Solids) (CAP.B222), Inorganic Chemistry (Materials Science) (CAP.B223), and Inorganic Chemistry (Elements and Compounds) (CAP.B224) ) is desirable.
Toshiro Takao (takao.t.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp・ext. 2580)
Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.