Content Writer
Inorganic Chemistry is the discipline of chemistry that deals with the study of molecules that do not include carbon-hydrogen atoms. To put it another way, it is the polar opposite of Organic Chemistry. However, inorganic chemistry deals with the study of non-carbon-hydrogen-bonded compounds such as salts, metals, or chemical substances. Organic compounds are molecules that include carbon atoms.
Read more: Modern Periodic Table
Key Terms: Acids, Bases, Salts, Oxides, Combination Reaction, Decomposition Reaction, Single Displacement Reaction, Double displacement reactions
What is Inorganic Chemistry?
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
There are around 1 lakh inorganic elements believed to exist in the entire world. Except for hydrogen and carbon, all periodic table elements are included in the list of inorganic compounds. Inorganic chemistry also examines the behaviour of these molecules, including their qualities, physical properties, and chemical features.
- The majority of the inorganic elements are necessary, for example, Iron, titanium, copper, and nickel, etc may be utilised both electrically and structurally.
- The transition metals combine to generate a variety of useful alloys, including those containing additional metallic elements.
Inorganic Elements Structure
Organometallic Compounds
Organometallic Chemistry is an interdisciplinary science in Inorganic Chemistry. Research has helped to distinguish the nature and variety of chemical bonds found in organometallic compounds that are continually being discovered. Organometallic compounds in industries are used as homogeneous catalysis agents.
- The study of organometallic compounds is called organometallic chemistry.
- Compounds with metallic bonds and covalent character are considered as they are not chemically equivalent.
- Inorganic and organic chemical components are combined in organometallic chemistry.
Transition Elements
An element that has partially filled d-orbitals in its penultimate shell is referred to as a transition element. Since we can identify a transition element by just looking at its electronic configuration, this conceptual characterization is beneficial.
- Zinc, cadmium, and mercury are not considered transition elements by this criteria because they lack a partially filled d-orbital.
- The zinc group is also referred to as transition elements because they exhibit traits that are an extension of those of transition elements in inorganic chemistry.
- The zinc group acts as a link between the representational and transitional elements.
Transition Elements in Periodic Table
- All the 24 elements share similar properties such as they are all metals, the majority of which are hard, solid, and lustrous, have high melting and boiling temperatures, and are effective heat- and electricity-conductors.
- These traits span a wide range, so the statements can be compared to the general characteristics of all the other elements.
Coordination Chemistry
Long before inorganic chemistry was developed, coordination chemicals were used for many purposes. Tassaert's curiosity inspired a systematic study of structure and bonding in coordination chemistry, which was carried out until the end of the nineteenth century by eminent chemists including Wilhelm Blomstrand, Jorgensen, and Alfred Werner. Werner's coordination theory ended up serving as the basis of contemporary coordination chemistry.
P-block elements
The p-block is made up of the elements listed in groups 13 through 18 of the periodic table. The atomic size, ionisation enthalpy, electron gain enthalpy, and electronegativity of inorganic chemistry p block elements, as well as those of other block elements, have a significant impact on their properties.
The properties of heavier p-block elements differ from those of their lighter congeners as a result of the presence of d- or f-orbitals in heavier elements and the absence of d-orbitals in the second period.
Classification of the Inorganic Compounds
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
In inorganic chemistry, the organic compounds are categorised into four types, which are mentioned below:
- Acids: The compounds that dissolve in water and produce hydrogen ions also referred as H+ Ions, are called Acids. Some of the most common examples of acid are Hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulphuric acid (H2SO4), citric acid, vinegar, etc.
Example of an acidic reaction:
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) + water (H2O) \(\rightarrow\) H+ + Cl
- Bases: The compounds that give hydroxyl ions or OH- when dissolved in water , are known as Bases. Some of the most common examples of the base are Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH), Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), Ammonia (NH3), etc.
Example of a basic reaction:
Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) + water (H2O) \(\rightarrow\) K+ + OH-
- Salts: Salt is a substance formed as a result of the reaction between an acid and a base. Some of the most common examples of salt are Sodium Chloride (NaCl), Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3), etc.
Chemical reaction:
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) + Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) \(\rightarrow\) Sodium Chloride (NaCl) + water (H2O)
- Oxides: The compounds that contain at least one oxygen atom are called Oxides. Some of the most common examples of oxide are Calcium oxide (CaO), Zinc oxide (CaO), etc.
Read more: Hydrogen Chloride
Types of Reactions in Inorganic Chemistry
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Inorganic chemistry has four types of chemical reactions: combination, decomposition, single displacement, and double displacement reactions. The reactions are explained below with examples.
- Combination Reaction: When two or more substances react together to form a product, the reaction is called a Combination reaction.
Example- Barium + F2 \(\rightarrow\) BaF2
- Decomposition Reaction: When a single substance decomposes or splits into two products, the reaction is called a Decomposition reaction.
Example- FeS \(\rightarrow\) Fe + S
- Single Displacement Reaction: A reaction in which one atom of one element substitutes another atom of another element, is called a Single Displacement reaction.
Example- Zn (s) + CuSO4 (aq) \(\rightarrow\) Cu (s) + ZnSO4 (aq)
- Double Displacement Reaction: When two elements from two separate compounds displace each other to generate two new compounds, the reaction is called a Double Displacement reaction. It is also known as metathesis reactions.
Example- CaCl2 (aq) + 2AgNO3 (aq) \(\rightarrow\) Ca(NO3)2 (aq) + 2 AgCl (s)
Read more:
Applications of Inorganic Chemistry
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Inorganic chemistry has significant applications in fields of biology, chemistry, engineering, and so on. Some of the important applications of Inorganic chemistry are:
- Salt or sodium hydroxide has prevalent use in everyday life.
- It is used in medicine as well as in healthcare institutions.
- Baking soda is used in the baking of cakes and other dishes.
- Inorganic compounds are also used in the ceramics industry.
- It is used in electric circuits such as silicon in computers, etc.
Things to Remember
- In inorganic chemistry, the organic compounds are categorised into four types, which are acids, bases, salts, oxides.
- Inorganic chemistry has four types of chemical reactions: combination, decomposition, single displacement, and double displacement reactions
- Inorganic chemistry is used in the medical profession, as well as in healthcare institutions.
- In the ceramic industry, a variety of inorganic chemicals can be used.
- Baking soda may be used to make cakes and other culinary products.
- The most prevalent use of inorganic compounds in our daily life is sodium hydroxide, sometimes known as common salt.
Sample Questions
Ques. Explain the scope of inorganic chemistry? (3 marks)
Ans. Inorganic chemistry is the study of the synthesis, structure, and behaviour of inorganic or organometallic compounds. The majority of the inorganic elements are necessary. Iron, titanium, copper, and nickel, for example, may be utilised both electrically and structurally.
Second, the transition metals combine to generate a variety of useful alloys, including those containing additional metallic elements. Catalysis, materials science, paints and pigments, surfactants, coatings, pharmaceuticals, fuels, and plastics are just a few of the applications for inorganic chemistry.
Ques. Why are the group 13 to group 18 elements called p-block elements? (3 marks)
Ans. The elements s-block and p-block get their names from the fact that their valence electrons are either in orbital s or p, to distinguish them from the transformation sequence and internal transformation; these are known as Standard Components. There are 35 p-block elements, all of which have valence electrons in the p orbital. The p-block elements are a diversified category of elements with a wide range of characteristics.
Ques. Out of NH3 and CO2 which gas will be adsorbed more readily on the surface of activated charcoal and why? (1 mark)
Ans. NH3 gas will be adsorbed more readily on activated charcoal. It has higher critical temperature than CO2 and is an easily liquefiable gas. Its van der Waals forces are stronger.
Ques. Why does NO2 dimerise? (3 marks)
Ans. NO2 contains 7 + 2 × 8 i.e. 23 odd electrons. In the valence shell N has seven electrons and hence is less stable. To acquire stability it dimerizes to form N2O4
Ques. Why do the atomic and ionic radii of the transition elements decrease from group 3 to group 6? (2 marks)
Ans. Because of the inadequate shielding provided by the less number of d-electrons, the atomic and ionic radii of the transition elements fall from group 3 to group 6. Those placed between groups 7 and 10 have atomic radii that are roughly comparable, but those placed between groups 11 and 12 have bigger radii. This is because electron-electron repulsions balance out the nuclear charge.
Ques. Explain the physical properties in Chemistry? Why are they important? (2 marks)
Ans. Physical qualities may be examined or measured without affecting the matter's composition. Physical attributes of substance are utilised to observe and describe it. The physical properties can help in identifying the elements and estimate the chemical reaction beforehand to avoid any mistake. Shape, texture, colour, fragrance, melting point, boiling temperature, density, solubility, polarity, and many more physical qualities are examples.
Ques. How is the first member of the p block elements different from other elements in the group? (2 marks)
Ans. The first member of the p block elements different from other elements in the group in two aspects, which is explained below:
- The first is the size, followed by each and every attribute that is dependent on the size.
- The second variation is limited to the p-block element and results from the action of d-orbitals in the valence shell of heavier elements.
Ques. What are four types of inorganic compounds? (1 mark)
Ans. The four types of inorganic compounds essential for life are - water, salts, acids, and bases
Ques. Fluorine does not exhibit any positive oxidation state. Why? (2 marks)
Ans. Since fluorine is the most electronegative element and does not have d-orbitals in its valence shell, therefore, it cannot expand its octet and hence does not show positive oxidation state (O.S.) while other halogens have d-orbitals and therefore exhibit many oxidation states.
Ques. Why do the transition elements have a high boiling and melting point? (5 marks)
Ans. Along with metallic bonding, the existence of unpaired electrons causes the creation of metal-metal covalent bonds. These strong connections give the elements high melting and boiling points.
- The existence of a partially filled d-orbital allows the transition elements to have a higher number of unpaired electrons, increasing their capacity to establish covalent bonds in addition to metallic bonds.
- The elements with the most unpaired electrons, such as chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten, have the highest melting and boiling temperatures in their respective rows.
- Metals like zinc and mercury, on the other hand, do not contain any unpaired electrons and so have comparatively low boiling and melting temperatures.
Check out:
Comments