Chem 120abc Home | back to Course List | Caltech Course Catalog

Chem 120abc Nature of the Chemical Bond
9 units (3-0-6) first term; 6 units (2-0-4) second term; 9 units (1-1-7) third term.

Prerequisites: general exposure to quantum mechanics (e.g., Ph 2 ab, Ph 12 abc, or equivalent). Modern ideas of chemical bonding, with an emphasis on qualitative concepts and how they are used to make predictions of structures, energetics, excited states, and properties. Part a: The quantum mechanical basis for understanding bonding, structures, energetics, and properties of materials (polymers, ceramics, metals alloys, semiconductors, and surfaces). The emphasis is on explaining chemical, mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of materials in terms of atomistic concepts. Part b: The quantum mechanical basis for understanding transition metal systems with a focus on chemical reactivity. There will be an emphasis on organometallic complexes, on homogeneous catalysis, and on heterogeneous catalysis. Part c: The student does an individual research project using modern quantum chemistry computer programs to calculate wavefunctions, structures, and properties of real molecules. Instructor: Goddard. Part b not offered 2007-08.