Using Molecular Modeling in Teaching Group Theory Analysis of the Infrared Spectra of Organometallic Compounds

A new method is introduced for teaching group theory analysis of the infrared spectra of organometallic compounds using molecular modeling. The main focus of this method is to enhance student understanding of the symmetry properties of vibrational modes and of the group theory analysis of infrared (IR) spectra by using visual aids provided by computer molecular modeling. It can be implemented in an upper-level inorganic chemistry course. Using molecular modeling techniques, students are able to calculate the IR spectra oforganometallic compounds and watch the animated movies of vibrationalmodes in action. Visual images of vibrational modes help students to identify the characteristic peaks in an IR spectrum and enable them to see the symmetry properties of vibrational modes and understand the physical meaning of the irreducible representations of the vibrational modes. In addition, the visual images of vibrational modes help students to understand why some of the vibrational modes are IR active whereas ot...

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