everything.study
CHEM 2II3

INTRODUCTORY INORGANIC CHEMISTRY: STRUCTURE AND BONDING

Undergraduate

Winter 2026 · C01

Topics

  • Structure of the Periodic Table. Abundance of the elements.
  • Origin of Quantum Mechanics.
  • General trends: atomic radii, ionisation energies, electronegativity.
  • Lewis structures. Resonance. VSEPR model and molecular shapes.
  • Valence Bond theory and its failures. Electron promotion and orbital hybridization. Hypervalent and electron deficient bonding.
  • Molecular Orbital theory. Mononuclear and heteronuclear molecules. Bond properties.
  • MO description of the HF and CO molecules.
  • Symmetry elements.
  • Point groups, Schönflies notation.
  • Symmetry of some molecules.
  • Basis functions, irreducible representations, character table.
  • Applications of symmetry: polar and chiral molecules, molecular vibrations and infrared spectroscopy.
  • Formation of ligand group orbitals.
  • Constructing MO diagrams for H2O, NH3 and CH4 molecules. Use of the character tables.
  • Hypervalent, delocalized and electron-deficient bonding.
  • Close packing of atoms; composition and structures derived from close packing.
  • Simple structures.
  • Electronic structure of solids.

Readings

  • Inorganic Chemistry
    Weller et al. · 2012 · 7th Ed · Required
    Pearson
  • Inorganic Chemistry
    C. E. Housecroft and A. G. Sharpe · 2012 · 4th Ed. · Required
    Pearson
  • 5th and 6th edition are good as well
    See source
Sources