🧪 Inorganic Chemistry
113 chemistry topics in Inorganic Chemistry, from beginner to intermediate to advanced level. Each topic has a clear explanation, a worked example, frequently asked questions and an interactive lesson.
Beginner topics in Inorganic Chemistry (31)
- HydrogenThe lightest element, existing as H2 gas, used in ammonia synthesis and as a clean fuel.
- Isotopes of HydrogenProtium, deuterium and tritium have zero, one and two neutrons respectively.
- Water ChemistryWater is a polar amphoteric solvent with hydrogen bonding and high heat capacity.
- Alkali MetalsGroup 1 metals are soft, reactive, and form +1 ions, with reactivity increasing down the…
- Reaction of Alkali Metals with WaterThey react vigorously producing hydrogen and metal hydroxide, more violently down the…
- Flame TestsAlkali and alkaline earth ions give characteristic flame colors such as yellow for sodium…
- Sodium ChemistrySodium forms compounds like NaCl, NaOH and Na2CO3 with major industrial importance.
- Alkaline Earth MetalsGroup 2 metals form +2 ions and are less reactive than alkali metals.
- Calcium CompoundsLimestone, quicklime and slaked lime have wide uses in construction and agriculture.
- Boron FamilyGroup 13 elements have three valence electrons, from nonmetallic boron to metallic…
- Carbon FamilyGroup 14 elements show a trend from nonmetal carbon to metallic tin and lead.
- Carbon OxidesCarbon monoxide is toxic and CO2 is a greenhouse gas formed in combustion and respiration.
- Nitrogen FamilyGroup 15 elements show varied oxidation states from -3 to +5.
- AmmoniaNH3 is a pungent basic gas made by the Haber process, used in fertilizers.
- FertilizersNPK fertilizers supply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for plant growth.
- Oxygen FamilyGroup 16 elements, or chalcogens, include oxygen, sulfur and selenium.
- HalogensGroup 17 elements are reactive diatomic nonmetals, ranging from gaseous F2 and Cl2 to…
- Halogen Reactivity TrendOxidizing power decreases from fluorine to iodine.
- Noble GasesGroup 18 elements have full outer shells and are generally unreactive.
- Uses of Noble GasesHelium in balloons, neon in signs and argon in welding and lamps.
- Transition Metals Generald-block elements show variable oxidation states, colored compounds and catalytic activity.
- Iron ChemistryIron forms Fe2+ and Fe3+ compounds and is extracted in blast furnaces.
- SteelIron with controlled carbon content and other elements for strength.
- Copper ChemistryCopper forms Cu+ and Cu2+ compounds and is an excellent conductor.
- Inorganic NomenclatureRules for naming ionic and molecular compounds using prefixes, suffixes and Roman…
- Polyatomic IonsCharged groups of covalently bonded atoms such as sulfate, nitrate and ammonium.
- Chemical Formula TypesEmpirical, molecular and structural formulas convey increasing detail about composition.
- HydratesCrystalline salts that contain a definite number of water molecules, such as CuSO4 5H2O.
- Types of Chemical ReactionsCombination, decomposition, single and double displacement, and combustion are main…
- Solubility RulesGuidelines for predicting whether ionic compounds dissolve in water.
- Precipitation ReactionsMixing solutions forms an insoluble solid product.
Intermediate topics in Inorganic Chemistry (51)
- HydridesBinary hydrogen compounds classified as ionic, covalent or metallic.
- Heavy WaterD2O, used as a moderator in some nuclear reactors.
- Hydrogen PeroxideH2O2 acts as both oxidizing and reducing agent and decomposes to water and oxygen.
- Sodium Hydroxide ProductionMade mainly via the chlor-alkali electrolysis of brine.
- Plaster of ParisCalcium sulfate hemihydrate that sets to gypsum on adding water.
- CementA mixture of calcium silicates and aluminates that hardens through hydration.
- Magnesium ChemistryMagnesium burns with a bright white flame and is essential in chlorophyll.
- BoraxSodium tetraborate decahydrate, used in glass, ceramics and cleaning.
- Aluminium ChemistryAluminium forms a protective oxide layer and amphoteric oxides and hydroxides.
- Extraction of AluminiumBauxite is refined to alumina and electrolyzed in molten cryolite.
- Silicon ChemistrySilicon forms strong Si-O bonds, giving silicates, silica and silicones.
- GlassAn amorphous solid made by fusing silica with soda and lime.
- Oxides of NitrogenN2O, NO, NO2, N2O3, N2O4 and N2O5 show nitrogen's oxidation states from +1 to +5.
- Nitric AcidA strong acid and oxidizer made by the Ostwald process.
- Phosphorus AllotropesWhite phosphorus is reactive tetrahedral P4; red phosphorus is a stable polymer.
- Phosphoric AcidA triprotic acid produced from phosphate rock for fertilizers.
- OzoneO3 is a triatomic oxygen allotrope that shields Earth from UV in the stratosphere.
- OxidesOxides can be acidic, basic, amphoteric or neutral depending on the element.
- Sulfur AllotropesRhombic and monoclinic sulfur consist of S8 rings.
- Sulfur DioxideA pungent gas formed from burning sulfur compounds, a cause of acid rain and a…
- Sulfuric AcidThe most produced industrial chemical, strongly acidic, dehydrating and oxidizing when…
- Hydrogen HalidesHF, HCl, HBr and HI dissolve in water to give acids of increasing strength down the group.
- Hydrofluoric AcidA weak acid that is dangerously toxic and etches glass.
- Bleaching PowderCalcium hypochlorite mixture used for disinfecting and bleaching.
- Variable Oxidation StatesTransition metals can lose different numbers of d and s electrons.
- Colored IonsPartly filled d orbitals allow visible light absorption in compounds.
- Catalytic Behavior of Transition MetalsVariable oxidation states and surface properties enable catalytic action.
- Magnetic Properties of Transition MetalsUnpaired d electrons give paramagnetism with spin-only moment determined by their number.
- Blast FurnaceIron ore is reduced by carbon monoxide generated from coke at high temperature.
- Zinc ChemistryZinc forms colorless Zn2+ compounds and is used in galvanizing and batteries.
- Chromium CompoundsChromate and dichromate ions are interconverted by pH and are strong oxidizers.
- Potassium PermanganateA deep purple oxidant with Mn in +7 oxidation state used in titrations.
- Silver ChemistrySilver halides are light sensitive, the basis of traditional photography.
- Gold and PlatinumNoble metals resistant to corrosion, used in jewelry and catalysis.
- MercuryThe only common liquid metal at room temperature, toxic and forming amalgams.
- LanthanidesRare earth elements with similar properties used in magnets and phosphors.
- MetallurgyExtraction of metals from ores through concentration, reduction and refining.
- Ore ConcentrationSeparating ore from gangue by methods such as froth flotation and magnetic separation.
- Roasting and CalcinationRoasting heats sulfide ores in air; calcination heats carbonates without air.
- SmeltingReducing metal oxides with carbon in a furnace at high temperature.
- Thermite ReactionAluminium reduces iron oxide in a highly exothermic reaction that produces molten iron.
- Refining of MetalsPurification by distillation, electrolysis or zone refining.
- HemoglobinAn iron-containing protein transporting oxygen in blood.
- ChlorophyllA magnesium porphyrin complex that absorbs light for photosynthesis.
- Qualitative Analysis of CationsSystematic precipitation and tests identify metal ions in solution.
- Qualitative Analysis of AnionsTests such as silver nitrate for halides and barium chloride for sulfates identify anions.
- Pigments and DyesInorganic pigments such as titanium dioxide and Prussian blue give color to materials.
- CeramicsHard heat-resistant inorganic nonmetallic materials fired at high temperature.
- Water TreatmentCoagulation, filtration and chlorination make water safe to drink.
- Activity Series of MetalsRanks metals by reactivity and predicts displacement reactions.
- Net Ionic EquationsEquations showing only species that change, omitting spectator ions.
Advanced topics in Inorganic Chemistry (31)
- Solvay ProcessProduces sodium carbonate from brine, ammonia and limestone.
- BoranesElectron-deficient boron-hydrogen compounds such as diborane with three-center bonds.
- AlumsDouble sulfates with formula M(I)M(III)(SO4)2 12H2O used in water purification.
- SilicatesMinerals built from SiO4 tetrahedra linked into chains, sheets or frameworks.
- SiliconesPolymers with Si-O backbone and organic side groups, valued for heat and water resistance.
- CarbidesBinary compounds of carbon with less electronegative elements, ionic, covalent or…
- Interhalogen CompoundsCompounds of two halogens such as ClF3 and IF7.
- Oxoacids of ChlorineHClO, HClO2, HClO3 and HClO4 increase in acidity with oxidation state.
- Xenon CompoundsXenon forms fluorides and oxides, challenging the idea that noble gases are inert.
- ActinidesRadioactive elements from actinium to lawrencium, including uranium and plutonium.
- Superheavy ElementsSynthetic elements beyond atomic number 103 with very short half-lives.
- Ellingham DiagramPlots free energy of oxide formation against temperature to choose reducing agents.
- Zone RefiningA moving molten zone sweeps impurities along a rod to produce ultrapure semiconductors.
- Mond ProcessNickel is purified through volatile nickel tetracarbonyl.
- Organometallic CompoundsCompounds with metal-carbon bonds, important in catalysis and synthesis.
- Metal CarbonylsComplexes of CO with metals obeying the 18-electron rule, like Ni(CO)4.
- Eighteen Electron RuleStable organometallic complexes tend to have 18 valence electrons around the metal.
- FerroceneAn iron sandwich complex with two cyclopentadienyl rings, a landmark organometallic…
- Zeigler-Natta CatalystsTitanium-based catalysts for stereoregular polymerization of alkenes.
- Wilkinson's CatalystA rhodium complex that catalyzes hydrogenation of alkenes.
- Bioinorganic ChemistryRoles of metals such as iron in hemoglobin and magnesium in chlorophyll.
- CisplatinA platinum complex used as a chemotherapy drug that binds DNA.
- SuperconductorsMaterials with zero electrical resistance below a critical temperature.
- Zintl PhasesCompounds of electropositive metals with p-block elements showing polyatomic anions.
- Cluster CompoundsCompounds containing metal-metal bonded groups of atoms.
- Solid State Inorganic StructuresPerovskite, spinel and rock salt are common arrangements of ions in inorganic solids.
- PerovskitesABX3 structures used in solar cells and ferroelectrics.
- Metal-Organic FrameworksPorous crystalline materials built from metal nodes and organic linkers for storage and…
- NanomaterialsMaterials with at least one dimension of 1 to 100 nm and size-dependent properties.
- Quantum DotsSemiconductor nanocrystals whose color depends on size.
- Photovoltaic MaterialsSemiconductors such as silicon convert sunlight to electricity.
Frequently asked questions about Inorganic Chemistry
How many topics are in Inorganic Chemistry?
Inorganic Chemistry has 113 topics, from beginner to intermediate to advanced level.
Where should I start in Inorganic Chemistry?
Start with Hydrogen at the beginner level, then work through the topics in order.
Does every topic have an explanation and an example?
Yes. Each topic page has an in-depth explanation, a worked example, FAQs and links to related topics.