Microwave Synthesis of Chromium(III) Complexes with Acetylacetonate and Ethylenediamine Ligands

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 19 (2014) pp 157-159

Microwave Synthesis of Chromium(III) Complexes with Acetylacetonate and Ethylenediamine Ligands

Joel A. Dopke*, Nancy Carter Dopke*, and Jared Kilpatrick

Department of Chemistry, Alma College, Alma, MI 48801, jdopke@alma.edu and ndopke@alma.edu
Received January 14, 2014. Accepted February 5, 2014.

Published: 30 May 2014

Abstract. The microwave syntheses of tris(2,4-pentanedionato)chromium(III) and tris(ethylenediamine)-chromium(III) chloride are described. The syntheses are more reliable and provide higher or equivalent yields compared to those utilizing conventional methodologies and allow for higher temperatures and shorter reaction times. The lab experiment also provides an opportunity to integrate modern techniques into the teaching laboratory. The syntheses are appropriate for students of Inorganic Chemistry at any level of laboratory.

Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; inorganic chemistry; coordination compound syntheses; active learning; second-year undergraduate; upper-division undergraduate; microwave synthesis

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: ndopke@alma.edu )

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Supporting Materials:

Supporting material include a student handout and instructor notes describing the reagents, equipment, instrumentation and details about the recrystallization of [Cr(en)₃]Cl₃ (49 KB).