Development of Undergraduate Laboratories in Inorganic Chemistry: from Molecules to Materials

通过使用先进的技术、多样化的教师队伍和计算机创新，该机构将建立一个无机实验室，利用技术和方法弥合分子科学和材料科学之间的差距，为学生提供在当今工业和学术界取得成功所需的工具。这个新实验室的中心计划是让学生对一系列独立的无机体系进行建模、准备和完全表征，这些体系的范围从简单的分子，如二茂铁，到扩展的分子结构和材料，如沸石。在每种情况下，学生将：1)使用先进的计算机软件探索目标物质的反应条件和特征，2)将他们的计算机结果应用于通过现代合成方法制备这些系统，以及3)使用先进的光谱和分析技术对这些系统进行完整的表征。在每个系统完成时，学生将评估对最终观察到的产品和反应条件的初始建模工作的成功程度，并通过额外的计算机分析测试它们可能产生的任何变化。每个系统/实验将是一个独立的模块，可以很容易地转移到其他大学。这个新的实验室将作为一个模式，可以并将在全国各地的大学和学院的无机课程中实施，并在适当的例子中也在其他子学科中实施。

Through the use of advanced technologies, a diverse faculty, and computer innovation, the institution will produce an inorganic laboratory that bridges the gap between molecular and materials sciences using techniques and methodologies which will prepare students with the tools necessary to succeed in industry and academia today. The central plan for this new laboratory is to have students model, prepare, and completely characterize a series of independent inorganic systems that range from simple molecules, such as ferrocene, to extended molecular structures and materials, such as zeolites. In each case the students will: 1) explore the reaction conditions and characteristics of target substances using advanced computer software, 2) apply their computer results in the preparation of these systems by modern synthetic methodologies, and 3) completely characterize these systems using advanced spectroscopic and analytical technologies. At the completion of each system, the students will assess the success of the initial modeling efforts on the final observed product and reaction conditions, and test any changes they may develop through additional computer analysis. Each system/experiment will be a self standing module that is readily transferrable to other universities. This new laboratory will act as a model which can and will be implemented at universities and colleges across the country both in the inorganic curriculum and, with suitable examples, other sub-disciplines as well.