Course guide of Inorganic Chemistry (2041119)

• It is highly recommended basic chemical knowledge, at least High School level.
• It is highly recommended to have completed (and passed) the Course 'Basic Chemical Principles' (Principios Básicos de Química), which is also offered in the first year (first semester) within the degree in Pharmacy.
• When using AI tools for the development of the course, students must use them ethically and responsibly. They must follow the recommendations contained in the document "Recommendations for the Use of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Granada," published here:

https://ceprud.ugr.es/formacion-tic/inteligencia-artificial/recomendaciones-ia#contenido0

• Inorganic Chemistry
• Non-metallic elements, metals and its compounds
• Pharmaceutical applications of inorganic elements and compounds

• Knowing the chemical elements and their compounds with special focus on those chemical aspects that are important in the pharmaceutical practice.
• Knowing and understanding the role of chemical elements and their inorganic compounds in biological systems, both in normal and altered state.
• Knowing the important role of the transition elements and coordination compounds in fundamental metabolic processes for life.

Unit 1. Noble Gases and Chemistry of hydrogen.
Group 18 elements: molecular species; physical properties; chemical behavior (reactivity); collection methods; applications. Major compounds. Hydrogen introduction. Isotopes. Molecular hydrogen. Physical Properties. Chemical behavior. Preparation methods. Applications. Biological aspects. Major compounds. Hydrides.

Unit 2. Elements in Group 17.
Introduction. Isotopes. Molecular species. Physical Properties. Chemical behavior. Preparation methods. Applications. Biological aspects. Lead compounds: halides, oxides (binary oxides, oxyacids and oxysalts).

Unit 3. Group 16: Oxygen
Introduction. Molecular species. Physical Properties. Chemical behavior. Preparation methods. Applications. Biological aspects. Major compounds. The water and hydrogen peroxide. The water in the chemicals. Inorganic aspects of water treatment and water purification.

Unit 4. Other elements in Group 16
Introduction. Molecular species. Allotropy and solid phases. Physical Properties. Chemical behavior. Preparation methods. Applications. Biological aspects. Major compounds: hydrides: general aspects. Binary oxides (carbon dioxide and sulfur trioxide); oxyacids (sulfuric acid); oxysalts and other compounds.

Unit 5. Group 15: Nitrogen
Introduction. Physical Properties. Chemical behavior. Preparation methods. Applications. Biological aspects. Major compounds: hydrides (general, ammonia and hydrazine); binary oxides; oxyacids; oxysalts (nitrates and nitrites).

Unit 6. Other elements in Group 15
Introduction. Molecular species. Allotropy and solid phases. Physical Properties. Chemical behavior. Preparation methods. Applications. Biological aspects. Major compounds: hydrides; halides; oxides; oxyacids (phosphoric acid); oxysalts (phosphate and polyphosphate).

Unit 7. Group 14: Carbon.
Introduction. Molecular species. Allotropy. Physical Properties. Chemical resistance (reactivity of molecular and atomic species). Preparation methods. Applications. Biological aspects. Major compounds: halides; binary oxides (carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide); oxyacids and oxysalts (carbonates and bicarbonates, silicates).

Unit 8. Other elements in Group 14.
Introduction. Molecular species. Allotropy. Physical Properties. Chemical resistance (reactivity of molecular and atomic species). Preparation methods. Applications. Biological aspects. Major compounds: hydrides; halides; oxides (silica); oxyacids and oxysalts (silicates).

Unit 9. Elements in Group 13.
Introduction. Molecular species and solid phases. Boro: B12 Unit. Metallic character of the other elements. Physical Properties. Chemical behavior. Preparation methods. Applications. Biological aspects. Major compounds: hydrides (boron hydrides); halides; binary oxides and hydroxides (oxides of boron and aluminum, aluminum hydroxide); oxyacids and oxysalts (borates).

Unit 10. S-block elements.
Introduction: Electronic configuration . Physical Properties . Chemical behavior. Preparation methods. Biological function of these elements in relation to their chemical properties. Importance of calcium in pharmaceutical preparations. Major compounds : hydrides ( ionic or saline hydrides ); halides ; oxides , peroxides , superoxides ; hydroxides ; coordination compounds and organometallic compounds. Interesting applications of these compounds.

Unit 11. D-block elements: First-row transition elements.
Introduction: Electronic configuration. Physical Properties. Chemical behavior. Preparation methods. Applications. Role in biological systems. Major compounds: hydrides; halides (simple and metal- metal); oxides (binary and mixed); hydroxides, oxyhydroxides, and hydroxy salts; oxyacids and oxyanions; sulfides , interstitial phases. Coordination compounds.

Unit 12. D-block elements: Second and third-row transition elements.
Introduction: Electronic configuration. Physical Properties. Chemical behavior. Preparation methods. Applications. Role in biological systems. Major compounds: hydrides; halides (simple and metal-metal); oxides (binary and mixed); hydroxides, oxyhydroxides, and hydroxy salts; oxyacids and oxyanions; sulfides, interstitial phases. Coordination compounds and biological systems.

Unit 13. F-block elements.
Introduction. Electronic configuration. Physical Properties. Characteristic chemical behavior related to their electronic configurations. Preparation methods. Applications. Major compounds. Coordination compounds. Biohealth applications of these compounds in particular gadolinium complexes used as NMR contrast

Practicum 1.

• Preparation of a crystallization gel. Study of the chemical properties of the halogens: reactivity and study the variation of the oxidizing capacity. Solubility of halogens and polyiodide formation.

Practicum 2.

• Study of the chemical properties of compounds formed by metallic elements belonging to the first transition series: chromium, cobalt and copper.

Practicum 3.

• Study of the coordination complex: [Ni(en)3]SO4
• Synthesis of the complex. Observation of the different reaction steps.
• Crystallization of the compound.
• Calculating the yield of the synthesized product.

Practicum 4.

• Determination of the amount of nickel(II) in the complex tris(ethylenediamine)nickel(II) sulfate by a complexometric titration using the hexadentate ethylenediaminetetraacetate anion [EDTA(4 -)].

Practicum 5.

• Systemic and non-systemic antacids
• Hydroxides as non-systemic antacids.
• Calculating the percentage of magnesium hydroxide within the commercial drug through reverse titration.

• C. Housecroft, A. G. Sharpe, “Química Inorgánica (2ª Edición, 2006) & “Inorganic Chemistry” (4th Edition, 2012), Ed. Pearson, Prentice Hall.
• M. Weller, T. Overton, J. Rourke, F. Armstrong, “Inorganic Chemistry” (7th Edition), Ed. Oxford University Press, 2018.
• N. N. Greenwood, A. Earnshaw, “Chemistry of the Elements” (2nd Edition), Ed. Butterworth-Heinemann, 1997.
• D. F. Shriver, P. W. Atkins, J. Rourke, “Inorganic Chemistry” (5th Edition), Oxford University Press, 2009.
• W. Henderson, “Main Group Chemistry”, Tutorial Chemistry Texts, Vol. 3, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2000.
• L. Beyer, V. Fernández-Herrero “Química Inorgánica” Editorial Ariel Ciencia, Barcelona, 2000.
• C. Valenzuela Calahorro, “Química General e Inorgánica para estudiantes de Farmacia”, Ed. Universidad de Granada, 2002.
• W. R. Peterson, “Nomenclatura de las sustancias químicas” (4ª Edición), Ed. Reverté, 2016.

• B. W. Pfennig, “Principles of Inorganic Chemistry” (1st Edition), Ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2015.
• R. H. Petrucci, W. S. Harwood, F. G. Herring, “General Chemistry” (11th Edition), Ed. Prentice-Hall, 2017.
• R. Chang, K. A. Goldsby, “Chemistry” (12th Edition), Ed. Mc Graw Hill, 2017
• J. Barrett, “Atomic Structure and Periodicity”. The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2002.
• N. C. Norman, “Periodicity and the s- and p-block elements”, Ed. Oxford Chemistry. Primers-Series Zeneca- Oxford Science Publication, Vol. 51, 1997.
• Katja A. Strohfeldt, “Essentials of inorganic chemistry: for students of pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences and medicinal chemistry, Ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2015.

• Periodic system (information about elements): https://iupac.org/what-we-do/periodic-table-of-elements/ y Periodic Table – Royal Society of Chemistry (rsc.org)
• Periodic system (videos regarding reactivity): http://www.periodicvideos.com/
• Orbital Viewer: Free software for visualizing atomic and molecular orbitals: https://www.orbitals.com/orb/index.html
• Inorganic Department web site: Departamento de Química Inorgánica > Presentación | Universidad de Granada (ugr.es)
• Faculty of Pharmacy web site: Home de la página | Farmacia UGR
• Degree in Pharmacy, University of Granada: Grado en Farmacia > Presentación | Universidad de Granada (ugr.es)
• PRADO online platform: https://prado.ugr.es/

• MD01. Lección magistral/expositiva 
• MD03. Resolución de problemas y estudio de casos prácticos 
• MD04. Prácticas de laboratorio y/o clínicas y/o oficinas de Farmacia 
• MD07. Seminarios 
• MD09. Realización de trabajos en grupo 
• MD10. Realización de trabajos individuales 
• MD12. Tutorías 

EVALUATION INSTRUMENTS

Besides the potential complementary tasks developed throughout the Course (activities and/or tests), there will be three kinds of exams:

• Mid-term exam: One exam is carried out during the scheduled classes unless an alternative date is agreed with the students. This exam aims to (a) get students familiar with exams; (b) encourage continuous learning process in students; (c) prepare students for the final exam. This exam will NOT exclude content from the final exam and counts for 15% of the total assesment of the subject

• Practicum Exam: Mandatory assistance. Once the practical sessions are finished, a written exam about the Practicum will be performed. This exam will be scheduled by the teacher involved in the Practical Course and communicated to students accordingly. It counts for 15% of the total assesment of the subject

• Final exam, at the end of the Course: Each teacher will provide the instructions of the exam in advance. This exam counts for 65% of the total assesment of the subject In any case, it can include:
  • MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS or TRUE/FALSO QUESTIONS
  • THEORY QUESTIONS, SHORT OR LONG VERSION
  • INORGANIC CHEMISTRY NOMENCLATURE
  • PERIODIC TABLE

Please, check the corresponding dates on the official website: 2025-06-04_Exa menes 2025-2026_Docencia_v.05.xlsx

EVALUATION AND QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

1. The Practical Course takes working 5 days in the Laboratory, from Monday to Friday, included. It is mandatory to assist and complete the Practicum Course to pass the subject within the ordinary call.
2. The final grade will be calculated according to the percentages detailed below, which are designed to ensure students have successfully achieved an uniform and balanced understanding of all the subject:

• Mid-term exam: 15% grade.
• Practicum Exam (written): 15% grade.
• Final exam: 65% grade. A minimum qualification of 4/10 is required in the final exam to apply the percentage calculations
• Class attendance: 5% grade

EVALUATION INSTRUMENTS

One exam with three parts will be carried out:

• First part: Multiple choice (test) exam. It counts for 40% of the total assesment of the subject. A minimum qualification of 4/10 is required in the final exam to apply the percentage calculations.

• Second part: Theory questions (short or long version): It counts for 45% of the total assesment of the subject. A minimum qualification of 4/10 is required in the final exam to apply the percentage calculations.

• Third part: Practicum Exam. Students may keep the grade they received in the ordinary call, or waive it and be re-evaluated, if they request so, a new written exam will be carried out along with the Theoretical exam and they will keep the new qualification. It counts for 15% of the total assesment of the subject

Please, check the corresponding dates on the official website: 2025-06-04_Exa menes 2025-2026_Docencia_v.05.xlsx

EVALUATION AND QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

1. The final grade will be calculated according to the percentages detailed as follows. The evaluation will be based on different items in which students must demonstrate a uniform and balanced understanding of all the subjects, according to the following percentages:

• Practicum Exam (written or practical): 15% grade.
• Theoretical exam - test: 40% grade.
• Theoretical exam - long theory questions: 45% grade.

Unless another thing is indicated by the student, the qualifications from the practicum exam will be kept from the ordinary evaluation. Nonetheless, the student can always renounce his/her previous qualification and ask for a new practicum exam. In such case, the student must write an email via PRADO to the professor indicating such claim at least 10 days before the official date of the exam, including that they explicitely refuse the previous qualification.

Those students who, according to those reasons specified at the University of Granada regulation (see Normativa de Evaluación y de Calificación de los Estudiantes de la Universidad de Granada), cannot attend regularly to the classes, and therefore cannot follow the continuous assessment plan, for instance disabilities, work contracts, health problems, or any other justified reason; they can ask for a final single final assessment.

This request must be addressed to the Head of the Department within the first two weeks of the subject, explaining and justifiying the motivation. The Department will transfer such request to the correspoding Professor, who will evaluate the request. If ten days after the submission the student did not receive an express written response from the Department Director, the request will be deemed rejected. In the event of a rejection, the student may, within one month, file an appeal to the Rector, who may delegate the appeal to the Dean or Director of the Center, ending the administrative channels.

This assessment consists of a single academic event, the same day as the ordinary and extraordinary calls. Students should show, beyond doubt, a balanced knowledge of the subject and the acquisition of the competencies described in the Learning Guide to pass the Inorganic Chemistry Course. In this Single final assessment, two exams will be carried out:

• Theoretical exam: 85% of the final grade
• Practicum Exam (written or practical): 15% of the final grade

The teacher will communicate the nature of the Practicum exam (written or practical) in advance to the student. If the exam is written, it will be carried out along with the Theoretical exam. Otherwise, a date, close to the final exam, will be agreed to perform the practical exam in the laboratories of the Inorganic Chemistry department at the Faculty of Pharmacy.

• Students with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Following the recommendations of the CRUE and the Secretariat for Inclusion and Diversity of the University of Granada, acquisition and evaluation systems of the competencies set out in this learning guide shall be applied in accordance with the principle "design for all", facilitating learning and demonstration of knowledge according to the needs and functional diversity of students. The teaching methodology and assessment will be adapted to students with Special Educational Needs, in accordance with Article 11 of the Regulations for the Evaluation and Grading of Students of the University of Granada, published in the "Boletín Oficial" of the University of Granada nº 112, 9th November 2016.

• Inclusion and Diversity at UGR

For students with disabilities or other Special Educational Needs (SEN), the tutoring system should be adapted to their needs, according to the recommendations of the University's Inclusion Unit. The Department and the Faculty should establish appropriate protocols and procedures to ensure that tutorials are carried out in accessible places. Likewise, at the request of the teacher, additional support might be requested to the competent unit of the University in case of special methodological procedures are needed. Information of interest for students with disabilities and/or SENs can be found at: https://ve.ugr.es/servicios/atencion-social/estudiantes-con-discapacidad.

• Preventive measures in Laboratory practicums and/or Workshops

Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), aimed at both students and Faculty members, can be found at: https://ssp.ugr.es/informacion/noticias/medidas-preventivas-generales-laboratorios-talleres. This guide provides information on the main health and safety risks associated with practicum sessions in laboratories, as well as the preventive measures necessary to eliminate and/or minimize those risks. It also provides information on the procedure to follow in the event of an accident and how to provide first aid. At the beginning of the course, students will receive information on safety regulations and the proper conduct of the practical sessions. This information will be available on the course's PRADO platform and must be read, viewed, and applied during the practical sessions. Failure by students to comply with safety regulations exempts the teaching instructor of the practical sessions and the department where they are held from any liability.

Información de interés para estudiantado con discapacidad y/o Necesidades Específicas de Apoyo Educativo (NEAE): Gestión de servicios y apoyos (https://ve.ugr.es/servicios/atencion-social/estudiantes-con-discapacidad).