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Senior FreshmanI am the year coordinator for the Senior Freshman year and teach in the following courses Introduction to Molecular Orbital TheoryThis 6 lecture course provide an introduction to orbitals and their importance in understanding chemistry. The form of the atomic orbital resulting from the solution of the Schrodinger equation are examined and their importance in determining atomic properties is discussed. The importance of shielding and orbital penetration are discussed in the context of the structure of the periodic table and the variation in orbital energies with atomic number The classical localised bonding schemes are reviewed (Lewis, VSEPR, hybridisation) and compared to molecular orbital theory. The formation of bonding and antibonding though interaction of orbital in phase (constructive interference) and out of phase (destructive interference) is discussed along with the naming of bonds (sigma vs pi vs delta, bonding vs anti bonding, garade vs ungarade) Molecular orbital theory is demonstrated by the analysis of the orbitals involved, the possible interactions, the shapes of the resulting molecular orbitals and the development of an energy level diagram. This is illustrated for simple diatomics (O2 and N2), triatomics (BeH2, H2O) and by examination of the pi MO's of Benzene.
Finally MO theory is used to explain the interaction of a transition metal ion with ligand in an octahedral field with an energy level diagram is formed due to the sigma interactions formed. The effects of different ligand are analysed through the interaction of the pi states (low energy filled, F-, vs high energy empty, CO) to show the molecular orbital basis of the d-d splitting and spectrochemical series. Email: watsong AT tcd.ie Last updated: Apr 19 2024 Back to Top |
