Inorganic chemistry focuses on the properties, behaviors, and reactions of inorganic compounds, which include metals, minerals, and organometallic compounds. It is a broad field with applications in materials science, catalysis, medicine, and environmental chemistry.
Key Areas in Inorganic Chemistry
1. Atomic and Molecular Structure
- Periodic Table Trends: Atomic radii, ionization energy, electronegativity, and oxidation states.
- Bonding Theories:
- Ionic Bonding: Electron transfer and lattice energy.
- Covalent Bonding: Molecular orbital theory, hybridization.
- Metallic Bonding: Delocalized electrons and conductivity.
- Crystal Structures: Lattices, unit cells, and packing in solids.
- Coordination Compounds: Metal atoms/ions surrounded by ligands (e.g., [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻).
- Crystal Field Theory (CFT): Explains electronic structure and colors of complexes.
- Ligand Field Theory (LFT): An extension of CFT incorporating covalent effects.
- Isomerism: Geometrical, optical, and linkage isomers.
- Applications: Catalysis, electronic devices, and medicine (e.g., cisplatin as a cancer drug).
- Metal-Carbon Bonds: Alkyls, aryls, and carbene complexes.
- Catalysis:
- Homogeneous catalysis (e.g., Wilkinson’s catalyst).
- Industrial processes (e.g., Haber-Bosch for ammonia synthesis, olefin polymerization).
- Reactions:
- Oxidative addition and reductive elimination.
- Migratory insertion and β-elimination.
- Crystal Defects: Point defects, dislocations, and impurities.
- Band Theory: Metals, semiconductors, and insulators.
- Advanced Materials: Superconductors, zeolites, and ceramics.
- Applications: Electronics, photonics, and energy storage.
- Metals in Biology:
- Metalloproteins and metalloenzymes (e.g., hemoglobin, cytochrome c).
- Metal ions in biological processes (e.g., Mg²⁺ in ATP hydrolysis, Zn²⁺ in enzymes).
- Medicinal Inorganic Chemistry: Metal-based drugs (e.g., cisplatin, gold-based arthritis treatments).
- Biominerals: Calcium in bones and teeth, iron in ferritin.
- Acid-Base Theories: Lewis, Brønsted-Lowry, and Arrhenius concepts.
- Redox Reactions: Electron transfer processes, balancing equations.
- Electrochemistry: Galvanic cells, electrolysis, and electrode potentials.
- s-Block Elements: Alkali and alkaline earth metals, their reactivity and compounds.
- p-Block Elements: Halogens, noble gases, and their oxides, acids, and halides.
- d-Block (Transition Metals): Variable oxidation states, complex formation, and catalysis.
- f-Block Elements: Lanthanides and actinides, their chemistry, and applications.
- Industrial Catalysis: Ammonia synthesis, hydrogenation, and oxidation reactions.
- Materials Science: Development of ceramics, superconductors, and nanomaterials.
- Medicine: Contrast agents (MRI), anticancer drugs, and radiopharmaceuticals.
- Environmental Chemistry: Water purification, pollution control, and CO₂ sequestration.
- Energy: Battery technology, fuel cells, and solar energy harvesting.
- Green Chemistry: Development of sustainable catalysts and processes.
- Molecular Machines: Inorganic components in nanotechnology.
- Photocatalysis: Solar energy conversion and environmental cleanup.
- Magnetic and Electronic Materials: Applications in spintronics and quantum computing.