FIRST COURSE

HANDOUT

SEMESTER II 2020-21

CHM 242A: BASIC INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Course Instructor: Basker SUNDARARAJU
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, IIT KANPUR, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA – 208 016.
Email: basker@iitk.ac.in

Discussion Hour: Every Friday 12h00-12h50

Course Contents:
1. Basic Concepts (15)
a. Molecular Symmetry, Point Groups and Introduction to Character Tables
b. Bonding Models
c. Chemical Forces
d. Acid – Base Concepts
2. Transition Metal Chemistry
a. Different types of ligands
b. Structures and isomerism of transition of metal complexes
c. Bonding in transition metal complexes – valence bond, crystal field, M.O theories, effects of d-
orbital splitting.
d. Organometallic compounds: EAN rule, metal-carbonyls, metal-olefin complexes, Reactions of
organometallic compounds.
e. Homogeneous catalysis
3. An introduction to chemistry of f-block elements, special features of f-block elements, lanthanide
contraction, coordination number, structures, and simple reactions.

Supplemental Texts (E-books will be shortly available in PK library)

1. D. F. Shriver and P. W. Atkins, Inorganic Chemistry. 3rd Edn. Oxford University, Oxford, 1999
2. W. L. Jolly: Modern Inorganic Chemistry. 2nd Edn.
3. F. A. Cotton, Chemical applications of Group Theory 3rd ed., John Wiley and Sons, 2003
4. R. L. Carter, Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory John Wiley and Sons, 1998
5. A. Vincent, Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory: A Programmed Introduction to Chemical
Applications, 2nd Edition, John Wiley and Sons 2001
6. F. Albert Cotton, Carlos A. Murillo, and Manfred Bochmann, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, 6th Ed.
Wiley Interscience Publication 2001.
Additional link will be provided through “HelloIITK” platform for reference.

Granding
There will be one mid-sem exam (30%), one end-sem exam (35%), Problem based homework (15%), Quiz
(15%) and discussion hour attendance (5%). Any malpractice in the exam will be dealt seriously and you
may either be given one grade less or “F” grade.

Homework
Homework will be assigned approximately weekly and is due at the beginning of every Friday before the
discussion hour. If any student fail to submit it within the due date will be given 50% credit and after 40
hrs no credit. I will accept and correct the home work after 48 hours; Practicing the concept presented in
class is more important than the grade on an individual assignment.

Important dates:
Online Classes Commence Jan 13, 2021

Online Classes End Apr 30, 2021

Mid-­‐Semester Examination (Online) Feb 21-­‐27, 2021

End Semester Examination (Online) May 3-­‐12, 2021

The instructor reserves the right to make changes, with notice. The guidelines for
conduct of examination will be shared with the students through HelloIITK web
portal.