8. AMMONIUM AND POTASSIUM

8

 AMMONIUM AND POTASSIUM

CHAPTER 8 - 4 pages - deals with the thermal stability of the potassium and ammonium ions.

7 DIAGONAL RELATIONSHIP

7

DIAGONAL RELATIONSHIP

In CHAPTER 7 - 4 pages - a new term has been introduced. This term has been illustrated with examples.

6 ATOMS, IONS, ENVIRONMENT AND REACTIVITY

6

ATOMS, IONS, ENVIRONMENT AND REACTIVITY

CHAPTER 6 - 25 pages - is an important one. Among other things, the effects of various factors such as charge density, lattice, electro-negativity difference, polarizability, size on rate of reaction have been illustrated. The chapter ends with a new but important generalization.

5 ALUMINIUM FLUORIDE

5

ALUMINIUM FLUORIDE

CHAPTER 5 - 4 pages - deals with AlF₃. This can be included in chapter 16. However, due to its very high melting point, a separate chapter has been allotted to it. Further, this chapter is a prelude to chapter 6.

4. CALCIUM CHLORIDE

4

 CALCIUM CHLORIDE

CHAPTER 4 (5 pages) deals with the Structure of CaCl₂ molecule (not solid CaCl₂) with reference to the structures of BeCl₂ (linear) and BaCl₂ (bent chain) molecules. It gives an insight into the merits and limitations of the hybridization theory and the VSEPR theory. It is a unique approach.

3. THE COVALENT BOND

3

THE COVALENT BOND

In CHAPTER 3 (20 pages) the basis for the balloon picture of the hybridized orbital, the distinction between non –bonding orbitals and lone pair electrons, the meaning of the multi-centric molecular orbitals and the reason why the act of depositing two electrons in the inter-nuclear region leads to lowering of energy are vividly discussed.

Works of D.R. Herchbach, Y.T. Lee and J.C. Palanzc (1986) and the experiment conducted by Ahmed H. Zewail at the California Institute of Technology (1998) also are given. It is a very useful chapter for those who study or handle Valence Bond Theory and Molecular Orbital Theory. About 50 percent of this chapter is conventional but style somewhat different. The rest cannot be found in any other book.

2. MOLECULAR ORBITALS

2

MOLECULAR ORBITALS

CHAPTER 2 (2 pages) is to emphasize the importance of the pairing of the spins of the electrons.

1. ATOMIC STRUCTURE

1

ATOMIC STRUCTURE

CHAPTER 1(37 pages) starts with Democritus and proceeds chronologically through ‘hard’ atom model and ‘soft’ atom model. This chapter ends with Hofstadter and Murry Gell Mann. It is a non-mathematical treatment. The points familiar to the readers such as Pauli exclusion principle are ignored. But the statements of prominent scientists and several comparisons - such as “The atom changes its shape constantly. At one time it looks like an egg which is oval in shape and at another time it looks like an omelette which is flat.” - are given. The readers would love to remember them.

However, the meaning of Planck constant, the similarity between matrix mechanics and wave mechanics, symmetry of the orbitals, physical meaning + and – signs of the wave function and the reason for the stability of the octet configuration are explained in words.

Experiment conducted by Daniel Walls and his colleagues at University of Auckland (1991) to demolish the argument of Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen (EPR) is given. The experiment conducted by David Pritchard from the Massachysetts Institute of Technology to isolate an atom and the experiment of Stephen Chn to trap atom (1986) are given.

Further, there is an elementary treatment of quarks and leptons (7 pages) and the nature of forces. The limitation of the Standard Model also is discussed.

There is no comparison for this chapter in any other book. The readers will be immensely benefitted by this chapter.

PREFACE

PREFACE

      The object of this book is to make the teaching of inorganic chemistry more effective. It enables the readers to view inorganic chemistry from a higher pedestal.

     The book deals with the very simple things in inorganic chemistry. But, the very depth of those simple things has been shown on a new scale in a simple style. 

     Things familiar to the readers are either avoided or given in very small doses.

      Care is taken, in every chapter, to provide something different in style or content. 

    Though due attention has been given to reduce the amount of factual materials, many pieces of useful information have been given.

     The problems given at the end of some chapters may be dubbed as subjective, lacking in discriminating power and even practicability. But, these problems aim at a broad, humane and liberal education and an open book system of examination.

     The method of presentation consists, generally, in stating certain facts, interpreting them theoretically, giving the solutions or throwing them open to the readers so that they would also cogitate and come to a conclusion.

     The highly innovative treatment would create ripples in the mind of the readers and kindle curiosity. It would stimulate independent and analytical thinking. To meet this end, most of the chapters are written in an unconventional way. A few that are conventional are quite complementary in nature. Hence, this book is an unconventional approach to inorganic chemistry.

About the Book

INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

V.SABARIMUTHU

First published 1994

DEDICATION

Mrs. & Mr. T.Vyakappan, Mr. Maria Michael, Mrs. & Mr. T. Maria Susai

And

Mr. V. Regunandana Kumar

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A book such as this one could not have seen the light of the day, but for the help of many people. The book was read and criticized by Dr. C.P. Prabaharan, Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry, University of Kerala. The author owes him a deep debt of gratitude for his comments, which led to its improvement. Some chapters from an early draft were read by Prof. S.A.P. Varghese, N.M.C. College, Marthandam, Prof. J. Seshadri, Lekshmipuram College, Neyyoor and Prof. V.C.K.Sreethar, P.K.College, Nagercoil. The author is indebted to Prof. C. Issac, Lekshmipuram College, Neyyoor, who edited the preface and went through some early chapters. The Author is grateful to Dr. R.Sathiadhas, Senior Scientist, C.M.F.R.I. Cochin; Prof. S. Russel Raj, Dr. M. Muralidharan Pillai and P. Kandaswamy of Lekshmipuram College, Neyyoor, for their active support. The author is particularly grateful to Mr. S. John Collins, C.L.R.I. Madras and Mr. Kumaravel Renganathan, Lekshmipuram College, Neyyoor for their supply of certain reference materials.

The author appreciates the scholarly encouragement of Prof. M. Venkatasubramanian of Pope’s College, Sawyerpuram, Prof. I. Stalin of Scott Christian College, Nagercoil; Prof. S. Edwin Sam and Prof. R. David Raja Bose of Lekshmipuram College, Neyyoor and his other colleagues.

By the way, the author remembers with gratitude the selfless help rendered by Rt, Rev. (Late) R. Antony Muthu, Bishop of Vellore, Most Rev. Benedict Mar. Gregories, Archbishop of Trivandrum, Prof. George M. Varghese, Member, Kerala Public Service Commission; Mr. (Late) Jesuadimai, Contractor, Monday Market; A. Paulian, M.L.A.; Mr. Paul Varnan, State Bank of India; Mr. A. Sankaranarayanan, former Member of Syndicate, M.K. University, Madurai; Mr. K.V. Laxmanan, Secretary, Erode Arts College, Erode; Mr. P. Thankaswamy, founder Secretary, Lekshmipuram College, Neyyoor; Prof. N. Kasinathan, Deputy Director of Collegiate Education, Tirunelveli; Mr. A. George, Mr. V. Gopalaswamy, M.P.; Dr, Achan Alex, Dr. Maman Thomas and Dr. Venugopalan Nair of Medical College, Trivandrum.

The author acknowledges various authors and editors, who gave permission to use their publications for reference.

The author thinks of his wife and children, who lost much of their fun and frolic and were forced to go without his care for a long while.

V.SABARIMUTHU

CONTENTS

PREFACE

1. ATOMIC STRUCTURE
2. MOLECULAR ORBITALS
3. THE COVALENT BOND
4. CALCIUM CHLORIDE
5. ALUMINIUM FLUORIDE
6. ATOMS, IONS, ENVIRONMENT AND REACTIVITY
7. DIAGONAL RELATIONSHIP
8. AMMONIUM AND POTASSIUM
9. STRENGTH OF ACIDS
10. STABILITY OF ACIDS
11. REDOX PROPERTIES OF ACIDS
12. REDOX REACTIONS
13. BASES –STRENGTH AND STABILITY
14. HARD AND SOFT ACIDS AND BASES
15. MELTING POINTS OF CERTAIN HALIDES
16. HYDROLYSIS OF CERTAIN HALIDES
17. HYDROGEN
18. LITHIUM
19. BERYLLIUM
20. BORON
21. CARBON
22. NITROGEN
23. OXYGEN
24. OXYGEN AND FLUORINE
25. SILICON
26. SECOND AND THIRD SERIES
27. VBT, CFT, AND MOT
28. TRANSITION ELEMENTS – REACTIONS, KINETICS AND MECHANISM
29. TRANSITION ELEMENTS
30. ELEMENTS OF GROUP I B
31. ELEMENTS OF GROUP II B
32. INNER TRANSITION ELEMENTS
33. INERT GASES