Inorganic Chemistry For Dummies

Inorganic chemistry can be an intimidating subject, but it doesn't have to be! Whether you're currently enrolled in an inorganic chemistry class or you have a background in chemistry and want to expand your knowledge, Inorganic Chemistry For Dummies is the approachable, hands-on guide you can trust for fast, easy learning.

Inorganic Chemistry For Dummies features a thorough introduction to the study of the synthesis and behavior of inorganic and organometallic compounds. In plain English, it explains the principles of inorganic chemistry and includes worked-out problems to enhance your understanding of the key theories and concepts of the field.

• Presents information in an effective and straightforward manner
• Covers topics you'll encounter in a typical inorganic chemistry course
• Provides plain-English explanations of complicated concepts

If you're pursuing a career as a nurse, doctor, or engineer or a lifelong learner looking to make sense of this fascinating subject, Inorganic Chemistry For Dummies is the quick and painless way to master inorganic chemistry.

Introduction 1

Part I: Reviewing Some General Chemistry 7

Chapter 1: Introducing Inorganic Chemistry 9

Chapter 2: Following the Leader: Atomic Structure and Periodic Trends 21

Chapter 3: The United States of Oxidation 39

Chapter 4: Gone Fission: Nuclear Chemistry 53

Chapter 5: The ABCs: Acid-Base Chemistry 69

Part II: Rules of Attraction: Chemical Bonding 81

Chapter 6: No Mr. Bond, I Expect You to π: Covalent Bonding 83

Chapter 7: Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory 101

Chapter 8: Ionic and Metallic Bonding 121

Chapter 9: Clinging to Complex Ions: Coordination Complexes 143

Part III: It’s Elemental: Dining at the Periodic Table 159

Chapter 10: What the H? Hydrogen! 161

Chapter 11: Earning Your Salt: The Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals 171

Chapter 12: The Main Groups 183

Chapter 13: Bridging Two Sides of the Periodic Table: The Transition Metals 207

Chapter 14: Finding What Lies Beneath: The Lanthanides and Actinides 221

Part IV: Special Topics 233

Chapter 15: Not Quite Organic, Not Quite Inorganic: Organometallics 235

Chapter 16: Accelerating Change: Catalysts 253

Chapter 17: Bioinorganic Chemistry: Finding Metals in Living Systems 267

Chapter 18: Living in a Materials World: Solid-State Chemistry 287

Chapter 19: Nanotechnology 305

Part V: The Part of Tens 313

Chapter 20: Ten Nobels 315

Chapter 21: Tools of the Trade: Ten Instrumental Techniques 319

Chapter 22: Ten Experiments 323

Chapter 23: Ten Inorganic Household Products 329

Glossary 335

Index 343

Michael L. Matson is an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Houston-Downtown where he instructs Inorganic Chemistry. Alvin W. Orbaek is a research assistant at Rice University, Houston, Texas, where he is completing his PhD in chemistry.

The quick and painless way to master inorganic chemistry

Inorganic chemistry can be an intimidating subject, but Inorganic Chemistry For Dummies makes it a little less daunting. Whether you're currently enrolled in an inorganic chemistry class, or you have a background in chemistry and want to expand your knowledge, this book provides an approachable, hands-on guide that helps make sense of some of the most difficult concepts. From the periodic table to nanotechnology and everything in between, you get a more thorough understanding of key theories and concepts.

• Inorganic Chemistry 101 — get an easy-to-understand intro to inorganic chemistry, from atoms and oxidation to nuclear chemistry and acid base chemistry
• Bond, chemical bond — discover the various ways atoms can bond with one another, like covalent bonding and ionic and metallic bonding
• It's elemental — dive into easily digestible chapters that break down and make sense of the elements of the periodic table and what they contribute to inorganic chemistry
• Live in a materials world — find out how inorganic chemistry became a modern science and the many ways it's contributed to the technology revolution and the modern world we live in

Open the book and find:

• The scoop on chemical bonding
• Key groups in the periodic table
• The lowdown on atomic structure and periodic trends
• Molecular symmetry and group theory
• An overview of nanotechnology today
• Inorganic chemistry experiments you can try at home
• Ten of the most important Nobel Prizes that were awarded to chemists

Learn to:

• Grasp difficult concepts with ease
• Make sense of inorganic and organometallic compounds
• Score high in your inorganic chemistry course