Preparation, Analysis, and Characterization of Some Transition Metal Complexes—A Holistic Approach

Abstract

This article describes the use of the properties of transition-metal complexes to consolidate inorganic and analytical chemistry teaching in the second year of our undergraduate Applied Chemistry degree course. In a somewhat different approach to those previously reported, a wide range of complexes are studied among the student cohort. Following relatively simple preparative techniques, the complexes are characterized by a variety of instrumental methods, including infrared and UV–vis spectroscopy, magnetochemistry, and conductance. Results from the spectroscopic and magnetic methods allow for the deduction of the nature and strength of the bonding of the ligand to the central atom, while a knowledge of the conductance leads to the number of ions that the complex produces in aqueous solution. In addition, the complexes are chemically analyzed using not only analytical techniques experienced in a previous analytical chemistry unit, but also more advanced methods. Each student is required to analyze three e...