<div>Inorganic Chemistry teaches students the concept that modifications to ligand structures, especially
the donor properties, can have a drastic impact on the reactivity and stability of the metal complexes. Experiments described here reinforce this concept through the investigation of two tetradentate
ligands derived from o-phenylenediamine and salicylaldehyde. The Schiff base ligand, H2salophen,
reacts with Ni(OAc)2•4H2O to yield a maroon colored, square planar complex, Ni(salophen). Under the
same conditions, the amine-type ligand, H2salophan, forms a light-blue compound with a formula
Ni(salophan)(HOAc). Complex Ni(salophan) free of acetate may be produced from the reaction of H2salophan with Ni(OAc)2•4H2O in the presence of NaOH, but undergoes ligand dehydrogenation to
yield Ni(salophen). Students conducting these experiments have the opportunity to learn synthetic
techniques and various characterization methods. Most importantly, the inquiry-guided experimental
design helps them develop critical thinking skills and apply acquired knowledge to solving a research
problem in a laboratory course. <br></div>
Multiweek Experiments for an Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory Course: Synthesis of Nickel Complexes Supported by a Tetradentate Ligand with a N2O2 Donor Set
