Aims

Attention: this course is not taught in academic year 2020-2021.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to various characterisation methods that are applied to inorganic chemical systems. This course examines the characterisation of molecular structures in solution by different experimental techniques. These techniques include: NMR and EPR spectroscopy, UV-VIS-NIR absorption spectroscopy, luminescence spectroscopy, (magnetic) circular dichroism, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS and XANES), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), magnetic susceptibility measurements, electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and isothermal microcalorimetry. It is shown how speciation studies can be performed by using a combination of experimental techniques. Speciation studies give information on the composition (stoichiometry) and structure of metal complexes in solution: the number and type of ligands coordinated to the metal ion, the molecular mass (and the degree of oligomerisation) and the symmetry of the coordination polyhedron of the metal ion (symmetry of the first coordination sphere).  These experimental techniques also provide information on the electronic and magnetic properties of the molecules. It is illustrated how the experimental techniques can be used for investigating the mechanism of solvent extraction processes, structure of metal sites in metalloproteins and the interaction between metal complexes and biomolecules. This course complements courses on analytical chemistry where the emphasis is qualitative and quantitative analysis (what elements are present and what are their concentrations?).

Aim 1: The students can explain the physical principles of the different measurement techniques that are covered by the course. They have insight in the operational principles of the apparatus and instruments.

Aim 2: The students understand the possibilities and limitations of the different experimental techniques. They understand why a combination of different experimental techniques is required for speciation studies.

Aim 3: The students can interpret different types of spectra and measurement data.

Aim 4: The students can combine the different pieces of experimental data to give a description of the speciation of metal complexes in solution.

Aim 5:  The students understand how knowledge of the speciation of the metal complexes in the two phases of solvent extraction systems can be used for the elucidation of the extraction mechanism.

Aim 6: The students understand how the different experimental techniques can be used to probe the structure of metal sites in metalloproteins and interaction between metal complexes and biomolecules.

Previous knowledge

Students are familiar with basic knowledge of chemistry and physics.

Is included in these courses of study

• Courses for Exchange Students Faculty of Science (Leuven)
• Master of Chemistry (Leuven) 120 ects.